Longtime head coach Susan Johnson took a step back in 2017, retiring from her head coaching duties to serve as an assistant.  Johnson has been the cornerstone of the Pirate softball program for a generation, and retired as the department's longest-serving head coach.

Johnson began her coaching career at VC in 1988, amassing a 640-490 record leading the Pirates, good for a .566 winning percentage.  In Western State Conference play, the Pirates were even better, posting a record of 346-172 (.668).  Ventura won eight conference championships under coach Johnson and went to the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs at least 13 seasons.  The 2011 Pirates earned the CCCAA State Scholar Team Award.  Johnson was named the WSC Coach of the Year five times.

Under Johnson's direction, numerous student athletes earned All-WSC and All-State honors.  Two of her former players, Sonia (Ortiz) Ford and Tisha Duran, have been inducted into the Ventura College Athletic Hall of Fame, and they remain on the coaching staff to continue Johnson's legacy.