Auburn Riverside girls basketball head coach Terry Johnson has stepped down, the school announced yesterday.

“This is a great school to be at. It was tough to step down,” Johnson wrote in an email to the Auburn Reporter. “We have some great girls in the program that I was looking forward to coaching.

“Ultimately, I just felt it was the right time,” he said. “I think we are leaving the program in a very good place, and I know the girls will be really successful next season.”

Johnson assumed the helm of the Raven program in 2009, replacing interim coach Ed Rosin.

Johnson, who had previously coached the Lake Washington boys program, led the Ravens to a 69-11 record during his three-season tenure. He guided the Ravens to two South Puget Sound League North 4A titles and a West Central District III 4A championship, as well as an undefeated 29-0 season in 2009, punctuated with a state 4A crown. He also was selected the SPSL North 4A Coach of the Year that season.

“Terry Johnson has had a great impact on our athletes and been a valuable piece of our athletic program,” Doug Aubert, the school’s athletic director, said in a statement. “He will be sorely missed by all of us who have had a chance to work with him.”

Johnson will continue to teach social studies at Auburn Riverside.

“I’m not done coaching, but I was just ready to pursue some other challenges, even though I’m not sure what that looks like yet,” Johnson said. “Coaching here the past few years has been great, and has definitely made me a better coach. We had a pretty special three years with the girls.”

Applications for the coaching job are being accepted now. More information is available by e-mailing Aubert at daubert@auburn.wednet.edu.