Those adjectives kept appearing whenever David Johnson’s name was mentioned during Hopewell High’s search for a head football coach.
And not coincidentally, those are the words that Johnson uses to describe the Titan team he envisions coaching this fall and beyond.
The offensive coordinator at Berry Academy the past three seasons, Johnson was hired as the third football coach in Hopewell history this week. He replaces Chris Rust, who led the Titans to a 43-31 record in six seasons before resigning in late January.
“I don’t think I could be more excited, and I’m extremely humbled by the opportunity,” Johnson said Tuesday. “I’m thrilled to be on board.”
The head coaching position is the first for the 26-year-old Binghamton, N.Y., native who will teach history at Hopewell and be 27 by the time the season opens.
“I really like the fit out here on the field and in the classroom at Hopewell,” said Johnson.
Johnson takes the reins of a program that was 8-5 last year and reached the second round of the 4AA state playoffs. Hopewell has never advanced out of the second round, but Johnson would like to change that. Jamie Billings, Hopewell’s athletic director, said Johnson brings a lot to the table.
“A lot of energy, a lot of belief in what our football program can be,” said Billings. “He’s got a lot of good ideas.”
Johnson plans to install a spread offense, while only slightly adjusting the 4-2-5 defense Hopewell has run in recent years. The players are comfortable in that alignment, and he sees no reason to change. He wants his players to play up tempo in all facets of the game.
“Aggressive and physical, but disciplined,” he said.
Johnson acknowledges that the clock presents some unique challenges. Practice officially begins Aug. 1, and the Titans open the 2011 season Aug. 19 at home against Providence. That leaves little time for preparation and organization, but he said the normal structure for preseason practice will just have to be adjusted to compensate for the lack of time.
“We’re going to work hard, get down to the nitty gritty and get it done,” said Johnson.
Johnson played football at The College of Brockport (State University of New York) and graduated in 2007. His father, also named David Johnson, has been a coach for more than 30 years and coached him in high school. Then the two worked on the Central New York Express coaching staff in the New York Amateur Football League. The semi-pro team won the 2004 league title, the Harvest Bowl.
Johnson moved south in 2008 and joined Berry’s staff, ironically, after interviewing for an assistant coach’s position on Rust’s staff. That fall, Hopewell beat Berry 30-0 in the season opener. Johnson remembers the Titans for their size and discipline, and is glad to now have the same kind of athletes under his watch.
Johnson is coming off a productive year. Last year, Berry was 11-3 and reached the third round of the 2AA state playoffs, where it lost to eventual champion Salisbury. Berry’s offense averaged 35.6 points and nearly 400 yards per game, led by standout back Germone Hopper, who rushed for 1,400 yards and 18 scores.
Berry’s defensive coordinator, Fredrick Hoskins, will join Johnson on the Hopewell staff. He will coach defensive backs and special teams.
Hopewell assistants Todd Whalen and John Stiles will return, as will Cas Bundrick, who will continue to serve as defensive coordinator. Bundrick has led the offseason workouts. Gary Richmond, the girls’ basketball head coach, may also rejoin the football staff.
As Hopewell enters its 11th season, Johnson will be the first Titan head coach who was not on the original staff in 2001. Current North Meck High coach Mike Bradley was the Titans’ coach for the first four years, and Rust was his defensive coordinator.
This year’s hiring process was complicated by school system teacher cuts, which essentially delayed Hopewell’s decision, as well as those of any school in need of a coach. Hopewell preferred to have its football coach also teaching on campus, but lost more than 20 teachers and had to wait to see what teaching positions would be available.
Five months is a long time to go without a head football coach, said Billings, but now a coach is in place.
“I think we’re ready to move on, that’s for sure,” he said.
