Former Baker coach Juan Johnson, center, is flanked by Hall of Fame coach Jamie Riggs of T.R. Miller, left, and Alabama Football Coaches Association Vice President and current Danville coach Andre Williams after receiving the Class 7A Coach of the Year award in Montgomery Saturday. Johnson led the Hornets to a 9-3 finish and their first playoff win in 40 years in 2024 before taking the James Clemens job. (Jimmy Wigfield/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
MONTGOMERY — Juan Johnson showed what he is capable of in his first year as a head coach, leading Baker to the best season in school history and its first playoff victory in 40 years.
Unfortunately for the Hornets, he will be building his resume and another program after taking the job at James Clemens earlier this month.
Johnson — who was named the Alabama Football Coaches Association Class 7A Coach of the Year Saturday in a ceremony at the Embassy Hotel — directed Baker to a 9-3 finish and a 17-14 double-overtime win over his old team, Hewitt-Trussville, in the first round.
Johnson built his reputation as the Huskies’ offensive coordinator for nearly a decade but the Hornets’ defense was largely responsible for Baker’s success in 2024. The Hornets finished the season No. 3 in Class 7A against the score, allowing 14.3 points per game.
“It was very difficult,” Johnson said of leaving Baker. “It was one of those situations that you never see coming. It wasn’t something that I intended, obviously, but I wish them tremendous success in the future. I think they’re going to have continued success. They have a tremendous coaching staff there. I brought a few guys in with me there at Baker but the core of that coaching staff has been there. They’ve done tremendous things, done really well, and they’re going to continue to do that.”
Johnson said a successful and quick transition when he arrived at Baker helped set the tone for the Hornets’ historic season. He also implemented a character education program emphasizing personal growth and athletic development.
“We hit the ground running but it was about building men and that was kind of the cornerstone,” he said. “Our motto this year was SWARMS — Special Work Ethic and Resilient Mindset — and we built our program around that.”
Hornets offensive coordinator Tucker Brown said the players were drawn to Johnson.
“Juan brings an energy every day that makes the players want to run through a wall for their team,” Brown said. “One of the best qualities he has as a head coach is that he can relate to the players and be the cool coach while still holding everyone accountable to incredibly high standards.”
Baker, which has grown into the fourth-largest high school in the state, will try to win at least eight games in three straight seasons for the first time in 2025.
