Juan Johnson: An in-depth look at James Clemens High School’s new football coach

MADISON – Juan Johnson. A self-proclaimed “country boy from Brewton, Ala.,” Johnson loves the outdoors, fishing, riding four-wheelers and being part of pickup basketball games when given the chance to let loose. He also cherishes being a high school football coach, and his desire to grow in his career has brought him to Madison where he is the new head coach of the James Clemens football program arriving in the fastest growing city in Alabama with what he calls excitement and the hunger for a challenge in only his second year as a head coach.

“It’s just a matter of how you deal with people as if you can embrace people and show them the things in which they do well, things have a tendency to go your way,” said Johnson, after being named to new head Jet. “We want to grow in the Madison community and retain the growth of my family as a whole as it’s just a matter of embracing the people, showing them who you are, showing them want you want to do and enhancing the product of what we put on the field and the community.”

After just one season at Baker High of west Mobile where he guided the Hornets to a 9-3 overall record, and most importantly, the program’s first playoff victory in 40 years while being named the Class 7A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Football Coaches Association, Johnson entertained the idea of making a move away from South Alabama to the fast-paced Madison community. Being one of over 50 who applied for the position, which became vacant after four-year head coach Chad McGehee retired from coaching leading the Jets to a 27-16 with two region titles and an overall 22-6 region record, the hiring process was narrowed to a final three before Johnson was selected to lead the program in 2025.

Earning a degree in history from Tuskegee University and a master’s in physical education from Auburn-Montgomery, Johnson began his coaching career in 2007 where he made stops at Opp, Stanhope-Elmore and T.R. Miller as an assistant coach. In 2016, he moved to Hewitt-Trussville where he remained through the 2023 season as offensive coordinator. His tenure with the Huskies proved to be outstanding with a high-powered offense that helped win 71 games in his eight seasons. He was given the opportunity to take the head coach job at Baker and felt comfortable completing many of the tasks he had for 17 seasons as an assistant.

At age 40, Johnson has been married to his wife, Tiffany, for 12 years and they have three daughters, Emma Grace, 9, Ella Gray, 6, and Emily Greer, age 3. Tiffany is a native of Evergreen, Ala. and has a doctorate from Alabama State University. Johnson almost made his way to this position five years ago as he applied for the job when Mc-Gehee was chosen, so he knows the young, successful history of Jets football.

He was a two-sport player in high school starring in both baseball and football. On the diamond, he was a second baseman, but changed to shortstop and some part-time pitching while in college. In football, he was a safety, which means he was a naturally gifted headhunter, and that mentality has carried over to his adult life and his coaching style.

“Very much so, even in the interview process it was very much set on the offensive tempo of just go, go, go,” said Johnson. “If you know my background you know physicality is what I love to bring. I’m sure I had a lot of concussions back in the day, but that was in the day they told us to get up and shake it off. Those days made be tough. All that has been really good and I’m really proud.”

Johnson is a winner. He was born a winner and knows nothing else. He added, “Obviously with the programs here in North Alabama we intend to be competitive in our Region and eventually be competitive throughout the state. With just one year’s experience as a head coach it’s just a matter of how you deal with people. I plan on having an exciting brand of football, hot tempo, fast-paced. We’re going to do that and build men and impact lives. I want a kind of program County Line will be proud of. I have the chance to put the Jets on the map of Huntsville football and on the football map of Alabama.”

One must remember Johnson is not all about offense as he’s well aware a defense can easily decide the outcome of any game. He assisted in making the Baker Hornets’ defense third overall in points allowed in Class 7A in 2024 and looks forward to being the fourth head coach in the history of the Jets’ program. He was a two-sport coach until he took the position at Baker and knows his experience in all aspects of his coaching and teacher careers will make a difference in his new position.

“You want to instill faith and believe in the kids that are here and have them do the work, as if you do that work it will show on Friday nights,” added Johnson. “I will get these players to buy in our program by believing in the process, believing in the vision, believe in what we do and control our team.”

While at Hewitt-Trussville, Johnson experienced playing against many of this area’s teams. Most notably, the game against Bob Jones at Madison City Schools Stadium when a power failure occurred, and the game ended up being moved to Huntsville’s Milton Frank Stadium. He said, “It was probably the most unique high school football games I’ve been a part of, so I have a background of playing some of the teams here. When I arrived here, they told me a lot of the annual game versus Bob Jones and I hope to control that rivalry.”

Spring practice is just around the corner and James Clemens has excellent, updated facilities in which Johnson is looking forward to building this program to the point of an experience he had when he was a senior in high school as his team won a state championship. He wants this school to live through the same experience…winning.

His life revolves around being a coach. His family revolves him being a coach as they even call themselves the “Coach Krew.” They are your country-style family that is fitting into the Madison community with a belief he will make a difference.