Beloved baseball coach at local private school found dead at his home

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A local private school recently announced the passing of one of its beloved coaches.

On Monday, Mater Dei Catholic, a TK-12 Catholic school in Chula Vista, sent out a statement regarding the passing of Ed Johnson, who worked at the school as a baseball coach.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved educator, mentor, and member of the Mater Dei Catholic family, Coach Ed Johnson," the statement, signed by President Fr. Joaquin Martinez, SJ, and Principal Aarón González, read.

According to the school, González and two other staff members performed a wellness check at Johnson's home after not hearing from him at all during the weekend. When they arrived, they discovered that he had passed away. No further details about his death were immediately available.

"We ask you to keep Coach Johnson and his family in your prayers during this difficult time," the statement continued. "Let us honor Coach Johnson's legacy by living out the values he taught us -- hard work, teamwork, and faith."

Johnson had overseen Mater Dei's championship boys baseball program since 1996.

The school said chaplains and counselors are available to support students, and all high school extracurricular and athletic events for the day have been canceled.