Coach Johnny Johns Has Passed Away

[thatskater]

I am hearing reports that Johnny Johns has passed away. He went in for knee surgery On Jan 20, doctors found a blood clot and he died overnight.

 

[~tapdancer~]

Who is Johnny Johns?

 

[eurodance2001]

Tai Babilonia made an Instagram post yesterday about his passing. Condolences to his family!

 

[AYS]

Condolences to his family and loved ones.

A great pairs champion back in the day and longtime coach but how many know he was one of those rare skaters who won US championships in 2 different disciplines (pairs with Melissa Militano and before that dance with Mary Campbell).

 

[Sylvia]

Tai Babilonia made an Instagram post yesterday about his passing. Condolences to his family!

Tai Babilonia on Instagram: "We lost another member of our skating family. I just heard 2X @usfigureskating pair champion (with Melissa Militano 🕊️) & 1973 U.S. dance champion Johnny Johns has passed away. Super talented & extremely funny. 🙏🏽🕊️😔⛸️"

575 likes, 32 comments - tai_babilonia on February 21, 2026: "We lost another member of our skating family. I just heard 2X @usfigureskating pair champion (with Melissa Militano 🕊️) & 1973 U.S. dance champion Johnny Johns has passed away. Super talented & extremely funny. 🙏🏽🕊️😔⛸️".

www.instagram.com

ETA:

Johnny Johns - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Johnny has over 35 years of coaching experience. He is a gold medalist in figures, pairs, and ice dance. He was a National Ice Dance Champion in 1973 [with Mary Campbell]. In both 1974 & 1975 he was the U.S. Pairs Champion [with Melissa Militano]. Johnny was a member of the world team from 1971-1975. He was also a featured performer with Ice Capades from 1976-1979.
His professional accomplishments include:
-Coaching National, International, World, and Olympic skaters for over 35 years
-Coached seven U.S. National Pair Champions
-Coach of the 1997 World Junior Pair Champions (Danielle & Steve Hartsell)
-Coach of the 1999 U.S. National Senior Pair Champions (Danielle & Steve Hartsell)
-Coach of the 2006 World & Olympic Pair Team (Marcy Hinzmann/Aaron Parchem)
-Coach of the 2007 U.S. Senior Pair Champions (Brooke Castile/Benjamin Okolski)

 

[OrioleBeagle]

Deleted

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Back in the day, I remember him on the sidelines coaching one of the U.S Pair Teams who attended the 1996 World Junior Championships in Brisbane. I forget if he coached Danielle and Steve Hartsell or Natalie Vlandis and Jered Guzman.

 

[Debbie S]

Back in the day, I remember him on the sidelines coaching one of the U.S Pair Teams who attended the 1996 World Junior Championships in Brisbane. I forget if he coached Danielle and Steve Hartsell or Natalie Vlandis and Jered Guzman.

The Hartsells

 

[Sylvia]

-Coach of the 2006 World & Olympic Pair Team (Marcy Hinzmann/Aaron Parchem)

I just came across this this tribute by Marcy Hinzmann Simpson:

Marcy Simpson on Instagram: "Today I have been hit with some very sad news. My incredible pairs skating coach Johnny Johns passed away suddenly yesterday. 😢 He was more than just a coach, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and helped

152 likes, 58 comments - mrsmarcysimpson on February 21, 2026: "Today I have been hit with some very sad news. My incredible pairs skating coach Johnny Johns passed away suddenly yesterday. 😢 He was more than just a coach, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and helped rise to my...

www.instagram.com

Today [2/21/26] I have been hit with some very sad news. My incredible pairs skating coach Johnny Johns passed away suddenly yesterday.

He was more than just a coach, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and helped rise to my full potential. It wasn’t more reps, it wasn’t training harder. It was training smarter, actually enjoying the process and helping me realize skating in big events under pressure weren’t a “death sentence” but something to be grateful for and to enjoy.

When I first came to his skating club to work with him I wasn’t very excited to be honest. He was gruff, was always smoking between ice makes and very matter of fact about skating. I didn’t think we would be a good fit as a “little miss type A” But boy was I ever wrong. He was just the coach and friend I needed, he taught me to get out of my own head without belittling my feelings. He made skating fun (like Alysa Liu!) and he made me love each and every training session with our team. With that grew confidence in myself and by the time the Olympic Games rolled around which we qualified for by the slightest of margins I was able to actually have a joyful and anxiety free performance in the biggest competition of my life. I will never forget that and I owe it all to him.

I will miss him dearly, my whole family will, he was so good to us.

The last two videos are training sessions and his personality makes me smile.

 

[Sylvia]

Adrienne Carhart's tribute today (she's the oldest of the 4 skating sisters):

Adrienne Carhart on Instagram: "This is so hard to write. Johnny, thank you for being the most incredible coach, friend, and role model. Thank you for supporting me through my highest highs and my lowest lows; you never stopped believing in my potent

23 likes, 3 comments - adriennecarhart on February 26, 2026: "This is so hard to write. Johnny, thank you for being the most incredible coach, friend, and role model. Thank you for supporting me through my highest highs and my lowest lows; you never stopped believing in my potential or...

www.instagram.com

This is so hard to write. Johnny, thank you for being the most incredible coach, friend, and role model. Thank you for supporting me through my highest highs and my lowest lows; you never stopped believing in my potential or encouraging me to be the best athlete I could be. Every Carhart sister was changed for the better because of you.

When I first moved to Michigan at 16, you nicknamed me grandmama. As the years passed, we had so many inside jokes and you continually had new nicknames for me for whatever phase of my life I was going through. Our lessons were always full of laughter and joy.

Thank you for raising me and my sisters into the strong women we are today. In my moments of self-doubt, I will call upon all the advice you gave me over the years, all the fun moments we had, and think of what you would say to keep me on track.

What an unimaginable loss. The world has lost a bright soul and the kindest man. There was so much more I wish I could say to you. I wish I could have told you how much you meant to me one more time. Stay just peachy, JC. All our love

ETA that Helena Carhart included 2 clips in her tribute:

Helena Carhart on Instagram: "There aren’t words that can capture how much my heart is hurting. Johnny was a one-of-a-kind coach and an even more extraordinary human being. My ice dance journey began with him, Marina, and Ilya. Together, they built

265 likes, 19 comments - accidental_icedancer on February 26, 2026: "There aren’t words that can capture how much my heart is hurting. Johnny was a one-of-a-kind coach and an even more extraordinary human being. My ice dance journey began with him, Marina, and Ilya. Together, they built the...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

USFS' obituary for Johnny Johns was published today (March 2, 2026):

U.S. Champion Johnny Johns Passes Away - U.S. Figure Skating

Johnny Johns, a U.S. champion in pairs and ice dance in the 1970s and a longtime, beloved World and Olympic coach, passed away on Feb. 20, 2026, following complications

usfigureskating.org

Excerpts:

Johnny Johns, a U.S. champion in pairs and ice dance in the 1970s and a longtime, beloved World and Olympic coach, passed away on Feb. 20, 2026, following complications from knee surgery. He was 74.
A memorial service will be held on March 7, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST at Audubon Country Club (625 Audubon Blvd.) in Naples, Florida. [...]
In 1973, Johns competed at the U.S. Championships in both the ice dance and pairs disciplines, a feat rarely undertaken at such a high level. That year, he earned the bronze medal in pairs with partner Emily Benenson and won the title in ice dance with partner Mary Campbell.

Johns finished his ice dance career at the 1973 World Championships with a career-best sixth-place finish.
As a pairs skater, he won U.S. titles with Melissa Militano in 1974 and 1975. He was a World Team member from 1971-75, with a career-best sixth-place finish at the 1975 World Championships.
Johns was also an accomplished singles skater during this time and was known for being able to rotate a double Axel in both directions.

"Johnny saw things in people and brought out the best in them," said Mitch Moyer, who coached with Johns from 1988 to 2006. "He made it fun to skate. He kept his smile, kept you laughing. He always had a way of keeping things in perspective. The skaters who worked with him loved him."
"He was more than just a coach. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and helped me rise to my full potential," U.S. Olympian and Johns' student Marcy Hinzmann (Simpson) said. "It wasn't more reps, it wasn't training harder. It was training smarter, actually enjoying the process, and finding something to be grateful for. I will miss him dearly. My whole family will; he was so good to us."

Later in his career, Johns worked with multiple World and Olympic champion ice dancers alongside Marina Zoueva, his longtime partner in coaching and in life.
"Johnny brought a unique balance of expertise and professionalism at the highest level, as well as a passion and joy for the everyday and a sense of humor that always brightened the atmosphere in the arena," Zoueva said. "With Johnny, we always worked hard but laughed even harder. The joy he shared with us all will be terribly missed."
Johns is survived by Zoueva, his daughter, Jillian Johns (Pounders); Jillian's husband, Scott Pounders; and their sons, Phoenix and Ozzy.

 

[overedge]

I didn't know that he and Marina Zoueva were a couple.

 

[jao86]

I knew only because this was mentioned on the Tessa and Scott reality show all those years ago. I hope Marina is doing okay. May he rest in peace!

 

[Amy L]

I heard about Zueva and Johns several years ago, but I didn't know they were still together.

Dying from knee surgery complications is not totally unheard of but probably not expected. It must've been a terrible shock for his family. I'm sad for Marina, his daughter and grandkids.

 

[Sylvia]

Detroit Skating Club's tribute (with 8 photos):

Detroit Skating Club on Instagram: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of DSC legend, Johnny Johns. Johnny had an exceptional skating and coaching career with an incredible and lasting impact at the Detroit Skating Club, where he coached for 27 y

136 likes, 2 comments - dscclub on March 7, 2026: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of DSC legend, Johnny Johns. Johnny had an exceptional skating and coaching career with an incredible and lasting impact at the Detroit Skating Club, where he coached for 27 years and helped shape...

www.instagram.com

We are deeply saddened by the passing of DSC legend, Johnny Johns. Johnny had an exceptional skating and coaching career with an incredible and lasting impact at the Detroit Skating Club, where he coached for 27 years and helped shape generations of elite athletes.

Johnny was a highly versatile competitive skater in the early 1970s, competing in ice dance, pairs, and singles at an elite level. In 1973, he achieved the rare feat of competing in both ice dance and pairs at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, winning gold in ice dance with Mary Campbell and bronze in pairs with Emily Benenson. He later won back-to-back U.S. pairs titles (1974 and 1975) with Melissa Militano and achieved a sixth-place finish at the World Figure Skating Championships in 1975. After competing internationally for several years, he performed with Ice Capades from 1976–1979.

However, Johns’ most profound influence came through coaching, particularly during his 27-year tenure at the Detroit Skating Club. There, he developed numerous national and international champions and helped establish the club as a powerhouse in U.S. pair skating. His students included teams such as Danielle Hartsell and Steve Hartsell (1997 World Junior champions and 1999 U.S. champions), Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem (2006 World and Olympic competitors), and Brooke Castile and Benjamin Okolski (2007 U.S. champions).

Beyond results, Johns was known for transforming the training culture at the Detroit Skating Club. Fellow coaches and skaters remembered him for his positivity, humor, and ability to see potential in athletes and bring out their best, emphasizing smart training, enjoyment of the sport, and perspective. His approach created an environment where skaters thrived both competitively and personally.

Later in his career, he also worked with world-class ice dancers alongside Marina Zoueva, continuing to influence elite skating at the highest level.

Our hearts go out to Johnny’s family and loved ones.

 

[overedge]

Does "transforming the training culture at the Detroit Skating Club" mean that he set things right after Callaghan resigned?