LAURINBURG — David Johnson’s life has always centered around sports, so it seemed like the logical next step to become the athletic director at Scotland High School when the position became available.
The Scotland County Schools Board of Education announced they had selected Johnson to replace Scotland football coach Richard Bailey as the high school’s athletic director. Johnson will continue his role as one of the high school’s assistant principals along with his new responsibilities. Bailey will remain the leader of the Fighting Scots and a teacher at SHS.
Johnson began his coaching career at his Alma mater, Marlboro County High School, after graduating from Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. in 1998 with a bachelor’s of science in secondary education. Johnson was a teacher and basketball coach at Marlboro before he accepted a head coaching position at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 2004.
The role of women’s basketball coach at St. Andrews was too good to pass up, so Johnson jumped at the opportunity. During his four years with the Lady Knights, Johnson became the winningest coach in program history earning 53 career win before his resignation in 2008.
Johnson found himself back on the basketball court as the Lady Scots head basketball coach and a teacher at Scotland High School before entering into administration. For the past four years, Johnson has been an assistant principal and thought it was the right time to jump back into athletics.
“I’ve always been an advocate of sports” he said. “Coaching and athletics is near and dear to me but this is my first go-round as athletic director. I know athletics plays a big part in success at the high school level because kids have different things to look forward to and I want to make sure all the students enjoying the opportunities we have afforded for them here.”
Accepting the position just as the school year ended is allowing Johnson the entire summer to learn, process and get all of his ducks in a row before the hectic fall sports season starts in August.
“This gives me a chance to transition it being summer and all. There is a lot that comes with being athletic director, eligibility, the hiring process of coaches and budget — a lot of behind the scenes that people don’t see to make sure everything is in place,” he said. “That’s why there are papers spread all over my desk, so I can get an idea of what I’m dealing with. Coach Bailey did a good job of getting all the things for fall in place and I want to continue to make sure everything is good.”
Johnson said that Bailey has been a great help during the transition anytime he has questions or needs guidance with something.
“We have a good working relationship, Coach Bailey’s personality is that he’s always open to help people. We work well together and the transition has been very good,” he said.
During his tenure as Scotland’s AD the hope Johnson has is that he can continue the success the Fighting Scots athletic programs have had in the past and continue to make sure student-athletes are utilizing all the resources the school as to offer.
“I want to make sure the coaches are working hard, we’re holding students accountable in the classroom and when we do that I think great things happen on the field and on the court,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day when our student athletes finish we want them to be able to excel and move forward. I want all of them to have a chance to go off to college and earn scholarship money to help them with that process.”
Johnson said his family — wife Johnnerlyn and their three children Daniel, D’averia and Davviney along with his daughter Cecilia — was very supportive in his decision and it doesn’t hurt that they all love sports just as much as he does, which also made it easier to convince them to go to games with him.
“My wife and kids are used to it, especially when I was coaching at St. Andrews with all the road games they would pack up and roll with us,” he said. “It helps that they love sports, I don’t have to convince them to go they are ready. Sports is part of our family.”
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.