During the past few years, I have done a number of interviews with Derek and have enjoyed reading his many articles. From the very beginning I have been very impressed with his method of research, his questions and most importantly his writing skills.

Don James — Head Football Coach, Washington Huskies 1975 - 1992

Derek Johnson was born at Seattle's Swedish Hospital on October 3, 1970 at 10:08 AM. By 11:30 AM, his father said goodbye and headed to Husky Stadium, where he passed out cigars and witnessed Washington crush Navy 56-7.

Five years later, Johnson began attending games at Husky Stadium with his father, and the passion for Washington football was forever ingrained. Two decades later, Johnson began writing for a variety of websites and magazines, in particular Dawgman.com and Sports Washington magazine. He brought a new dimension to Dawgman.com, with his regular features of former UW players such as Lincoln Kennedy, Dave Hoffmann, Napoleon Kaufman, Warren Moon, Greg Lewis and Dennis Brown. His 2004 article, The Roses of Wrath, featured a lengthy interview with former UW coach Don James, who revealed for the first time the specifics behind his 1993 resignation.

Johnson began working on his first book in 2004, which he envisioned as a detailed celebration of the years Don James coached at Washington. He interviewed Don James extensively, as well as 90 former UW players. By September 2006, the book was completed and had been submitted to a publisher back east. Johnson trudged along the Edmonds waterfront at 4 AM one morning, feeling ambivalent. The book had been accepted by the publisher with one caveat: They wanted him to gut the player interviews and turn it into a Don James biography.

As he ambled near the ferry terminal, a thought struck Johnson and sent him jogging back to his apartment. Soon after, Derek Johnson Books was formed, and its first book was Husky Football in the Don James Era, published in 2007. It was well-received, with Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times stating: "Derek Johnson's book is an essential addition to the library of any Husky fan. It chronicles an unforgettable, championship chapter in the history of Northwest sports-- much of it in the words and recollections of the people who made history."

Johnson followed up with his second book in 2009, The Dawgs of War: a Remembrance. It chronicled Washington's 2000 Rose Bowl season, and the powerful drama that unfurled as the Huskies won the Rose Bowl in tribute to their fallen teammate, Curtis Williams.

Johnson's latest book, Bow Down to Willingham, gives a voice to the players who suffered in silence during the Tyrone Willingham years at Washington. The book explores the dynamics that allowed a failing coach to be retained, and in the process leave an indelible stain on Husky football history.

Johnson lives in Seattle, Washington.