Baker coach Juan Johnson resigns to take James Clemens job; Scott named interim coach

 

By ARTHUR L. MACK

After 11 months on the job, Juan Johnson resigned Wednesday as Baker High School’s head football coach to take the job at Class 7A James Clemens High in Madison.

“It was a family-based decision,” Baker athletic director Daniel Kertis said in confirming Johnson’s dual moves. “He saw an opportunity that was better for him and his family. It’s always understandable but we’re very thankful for coach Johnson and his time at Baker.”

Hornets defensive coordinator Eric Scott will serve as the school’s interim head coach until a replacement is found, Kertis said. Scott, who has served on the Hornets’ staff for three years, was B.C. Rain’s head coach from 2008-2010 and his twin brother, Deric, is Foley’s head coach.

Kertis said the search for a new coach will begin once Johnson is officially named James Clemens’ coach.

“In the meantime, we have a good core of coaches and athletes in place,” Kertis said.

Johnson led the Hornets to a 9-3 finish in his one season and only a 34-31 overtime loss to Mary G. Montgomery kept Baker from winning the 7A Region 1 title. Johnson led the Hornets to only their second playoff win in school history and its first in 40 years, a 17-14 double-overtime victory over Hewitt-Trussville in the first round. He coached three All-State players in kicker Blayne Munson, athlete Khatori Marion and linebacker Quenterius Robinson and was named the Alabama Football Coaches Association’s Class 7A Coach of the Year.

The Hornets’ defense finished the season No. 3 in Class 7A against the score, allowing 14.3 points per game, and it was just the second time they won nine games in a season. The others was in 2014 under Jack French.

Johnson will replace Chad McGehee at James Clemens, pending the approval of the Madison City School Board. McGehee retired at the end of the 2024 season; Johnson will be the Jets’ fourth head coach in the school’s 12-year history.

James Clemens finished 6-5 in McGehee’s final season. He was 27-16 in four years with two region titles and a 22-6 region record.

Since opening in 2012, the Jets have made nine playoff appearances and won four 7A Region 4 titles. James Clemens lost to Central-Phenix City 70-14 in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.

Johnson, who had served as offensive coordinator at Hewitt-Trussville for nearly a decade, took over Baker’s program after Steve Normand retired in January 2024.