Thad Johnson makes contact during a game at St. Bonaventure in 2016. P-J file photo

Not playing baseball for the first time in nearly 20 years caught up to Thad Johnson this summer.

Now the former Frewsburg High School and St. Bonaventure University standout is ready to try his hand at coaching the game he loves.

Two weeks ago, Johnson accepted an assistant coach position on the staff at Menlo College in Atherton, California.

Menlo is a four-year NAIA school with an enrollment of approximately 735 students, 50 percent of whom are student-athletes. Atherton is a suburb of San Francisco just north of San Jose. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the country, regularly being ranked among the most expensive ZIP codes in the U.S.

The Oaks named a new baseball head coach June 2 when they hired former Chico State assistant coach John Carrion. Prior to two seasons at Division II Chico State, Carrion was the first baseball coach at Holy Names University in Oakland from 2012-15. As recently as four years ago, Carrion was also a coach with the Geneva RedWings in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

“Three weeks ago (Carrion) called me and we chatted about it,” Johnson said Sunday night from his on-campus housing. ” … I didn’t really think I’d take this job at first, but the more he talked about the opportunity, it was a pretty good deal.”

Menlo has a short, but rich baseball history, having had seven players selected in the MLB Draft in the past seven years. Junior Kevin George was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 33rd round this past June.

“The level of competition is good. We are in a pretty good conference here,” Johnson said. “They are one of the better NAIAs in the country.”

Johnson submitted his resume and applied to several college openings this summer before accepting the Menlo job.

And what a resume it is.

Over the past decade, Johnson has been a terror to deal with on baseball diamonds across Western New York and eventually throughout the Atlantic 10 Conference.

At St. Bonaventure, Johnson was a John Olerud National Two-Way Player finalist as a junior in 2015 for his work at third base and as the Bonnies’ closer. The right-handed hitter and thrower finished eighth on St. Bonaventure’s career list for hits (198) and fourth in at-bats (683) while being the school’s all-time leader in saves (18) and earned run average (2.49).

Under Coach Larry Sudbrook, Johnson enjoyed his best season in 2015 with 67 hits and eight saves.

At Frewsburg from 2007-12, Johnson made waves across New York, finishing as the state’s all-time hits leader with a remarkable 200 in six seasons.

Under Coach Jay Grann, Johnson was the 2009 Post-Journal Player of the Year as a freshman, hitting .530 with 14 doubles, seven triples, four home runs, 33 RBIs and 50 runs scored. He was 26 of 29 in stolen-base attempts and made just five errors in 65 chances at shortstop. On the mound, he was 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA, striking out 39 and walking 11 in 24 innings. For his efforts, Johnson was named a Second-Team Class C All-State selection by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

As a sophomore in 2010, Johnson was a Post-Journal All-Star and again a Second-Team All-State selection after hitting .477 with 11 doubles, seven triples, three home runs, 44 RBIs and 35 runs scored while striking out just three times. On the mound, he was 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA, throwing three complete games and one shutout while striking out 65 in 41 innings pitched.

“I just like breaking down the game and doing 1-on-1 work. It’s a little different aspect and I’m in a different position now,” Johnson said of his first week working with the Oaks. “It took a little bit getting used to, but I don’t miss playing as much. Now I like working with them and training them.”

In just 47 at-bats as a junior, Johnson hit .553 with eight doubles, a triple and four home runs to go along with 21 runs scored and 16 RBIs en route to being a Post-Journal All-Star for the third time. On the mound he was 3-3 with a 1.56 ERA, throwing three complete games and two shutouts while striking out 45 in 40• innings pitched, again being named a Second-Team All-State selection.

His numbers during his 2012 senior year were mind-boggling en route to being named The Post-Journal Player of the Year for a second time. Johnson hit .562 with 11 doubles, eight triples and six home runs while scoring 52 runs and driving in 28. On the mound, he went 8-2 with a 0.90 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched en route to being named a First-Team All-State selection.

“I’ve always liked being around the game and being able to work with people in the situation that I was in,” Johnson said. “Even with my dad (Frewsburg swim coach Bruce Johnson), he’s obviously always coached. I like what they do … and it’s enjoyable to be around the game, to try and teach from your experiences.”

One of the main reasons Johnson took the Menlo job is because of conversations he had with Jamestown Jammers coaches Anthony Barone and Hayden Carter late in the summer. Both Barone and Carter have coached in California in the past.

“I didn’t know too much about the college or the job,” Johnson said. “The more I talked to them they said it’s a really good opportunity and that I should take it.

“It came up quick, but it’s a good opportunity.”