With Monday’s announcement of that Cory Johnson would take the reins as Clinton’s new head football coach, one might wonder how a 26-year-old from another county acquired the spot.
As with any job, there is always a process to being hired, and it was no different for Clinton’s new head football coach Cory Johnson. It was a process that he passed with flying colors, Athletic Director Jeff Sawvel said.
“When it comes to hiring someone new, you of course look at all the applications submitted,” said Sawvel. “After that we bring in a group to interview and we were just really impressed by his energy and just his overall plans for the program, especially for the whole year.”
It is a plan that, according to Sawvel, listed everything from how he plans to run preseason workouts and practices to his discipline policies and his stance on student-athlete academics. These were just a few things that stood out about Johnson but it wasn’t just Clinton where he left an impression.
“I talked to a bunch of coaches, ones who coached with him and against him in the past; also ones that I knew that I could trust to give me good feedback,” said Sawvel. “All the coaches I spoke with had only good things to say. Each one of them said that they would take him on their coaching staff right now, so he came highly recommended.”
Johnson isn’t wasting any time getting started either, as he’s already viewed a lot of film on his new Dark Horses team. He’s also already set to start spring practice next Monday. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday he’ll be working with different positions to get into the swing of things.
While his coaching plans set in place, anyone who knows how Clinton works knows that it’s not just about the coaching. Teaching is just important a role in the hiring process. Johnson also offered ideas as a potential physical fitness teacher, which similarly impressed.
“He’ll be coming on as the new physical education teacher and he’ll be covering two physical fitness courses, which is primarily for the athletes,” Sawvel noted. “This was another example of something that stood out about him. His plan to help develop athletes through his courses, for not just football, but for all athletes across all sports, was good.”
With the football head coach selected, one important vacancy has been filled at Clinton High. However, with one coaching door closed another is now open as the Horses began the next search to find the next men’s varsity basketball coach.
Randy Jordan, the coach for six years, resigned from Clinton last month. This following a tremendous 2017-18 campaign, in which he coach the Horses to a 27-2 overall record with a 12-0 conference finish, securing the conference championship. They made it all the way to East Carolina for the Regional Finals of the 2018 2A state playoffs.
“He was here with us for six years, but he decided to resign,” said Sawvel. “While he’s official done as Clinton’s head coach, he is now looking around and keeping his options open as he pursues other and new opportunities. As for us, where we are with getting someone new, our application process is already closed as we prepare the steps to make another head coaching selection.”
Jordan finishes his coaching career at Clinton after accomplishing some remarkable feats. He tallied winning seasons and reached the 100-win benchmark, with multiple conference titles and trips to the playoffs, laying the foundation for a strong basketball program. A message left for Jordan wasn’t immediately returned.
