Of all the new head football coaches in New Mexico's high school ranks, no one is going to be under closer scrutiny this year than Stephen Johnston.
Which, for a former Artesia Bulldog player and coach, is routine.
Johnston, 39, changed jobs in the offseason, leaving Manzano for Los Lunas. And this is the highest profile new hire among the state's coaching ranks for the 2026 season.
His two predecessors, Jeremy Maupin and Greg Henington, combined to take Los Lunas to three state championship games, all in Class 5A.
After a handful of seasons in 6A, the Tigers have returned to 5A, and Johnston will make his Los Lunas debut Aug. 21 at Mayfield.

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