In 1933, Johnston sent a postcard to his wife from Zanesville, Ohio, stating that he was on his way to Chicago, Illinois to publish a book after being fired as head football coach of Appalachian State Teachers College the previous year. No one heard from him after that.[5]
^Mike Flynn, ed. (2009). "History and Traditions: All-Time Coaching Records". Appalachian Football 2009 Media Guide. Appalachian Sports Information. p. 184. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 10, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2009.