Asheville Christian Academy has hired former NFL player George Johnson as its new head football coach, the school announced in a news release Thursday.
Johnson, a defensive lineman, played nine seasons (2010-18) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints, also will serve as ACA’s assistant athletic director.
“Coach Johnson is a proven leader of young men through football and relationships,” Asheville Christian Academy athletic director Joe Johnson said in a release. “He is a mentor and motivator, helping athletes reach their potential on and off the field. He is innovative and creative and will bring excellent leadership to our athletic program and football team. He has competed, trained, and coached athletes at all levels and is a great fit to our mission at Asheville Christian. Football at Asheville Christian is heading in the right direction with his leadership and our entire athletic program will benefit from his involvement and experience.”
Johnson, 37, replaces Rusty Bradley, who left the Lions to accept an offensive coordinator position with Knoxville Catholic in Tennessee to move closer to his parents.
The Lions began their football program during the 2020-21 season and are 14-28 over five years. Bradley led the team to a 9-18 record in three seasons, including a 2-4 mark in a 2024 season marred by the effects of Tropical Storm Helene in Swannanoa. Johnson becomes the program’s third head coach.
Johnson attended Glassboro High School in New Jersey before enrolling at Rutgers, where he played in 51 games over four years, recording 134 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
After graduating, Johnson went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft before he was signed by Tampa Bay.
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/asheville-christian-academy-football-hires-184837671.html
Author : Asheville Citizen-Times
Publish date : 2025-02-13 18:48:00
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