THE SIDELINES : Johnson to Coach Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins today named Bob Johnson head coach and Scotty Bowman director of player development and recruitment.

Penguins General Counsel Paul Martha said he hoped the hirings would help turn around the team’s “mediocre performance over the last decade.”

Johnson, 59, executive director of USA Hockey, coached the University of Wisconsin for 15 years and the Calgary Flames for five before joining USA Hockey in 1987.

Johnson described himself as “positive and enthusiastic--a guy who enjoys going to the rink, who enjoys his work.”

Bowman won five Stanley Cups as coach of the Montreal Canadiens and also had coaching stints with the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres, where he left behind a rich legacy of draft choices who have become solid NHL players.