J.D. ‘exactly what we were looking for:’ Estus
It’s J.D. Johnson, who has been coaching at Christian schools in North Carolina during the past several years.
“Johnson is exactly what we were looking for when we opened the search,” Estus stated in a recent press release. “He is a Godly man, an experienced and proven coach and has the academic credentials worthy to join our excellent teaching faculty.”
In addition to coaching basketball, he’ll teach high school history.
“For me, I’ve been a full-time social studies teacher and this will be my 14th year,” Johnson said. “I’ve been teaching at private Christian Schools for the last eight years.”
Having coached in North Carolina since 2007, “When I was doing my research, CAK looked like a place where I could be for a long time and build a program,” he added.
Johnson hails from the Cleveland, Ohio, area. He played college basketball at Lake Erie College.
“I love working at a Christian school and having the opportunity to share my faith and the Gospel with students on a daily basis,” Johnson said. “I’m excited that CAK has a simultaneous commitment to spiritual development and academic excellence while recognizing the importance of athletics and the role it plays in education.”
He was head coach at Cape Fear Christian Academy during the 2018-2019 campaign, finishing with a 19-16 record.
Johnson left Cape Fear to become associate head coach at Freedom Christian Academy under former Grace Christian Academy head coach Brandon Clifford, who led the Rams to the 2018 Division II-A state championship.
He also had coaching stops at High Point Christian Academy and Statesville Christian.
Johnson was assistant head coach at High Point when the team made an appearance in the North Carolina state championship game.
Johnson then became head coach at Statesville, where he shattered school win records and took his team to the Elite 8.
The new Warriors boys boss has had some interaction with his Christian Academy 2020-21 team.
And he’s thrilled with his squad in Knoxville.
“We have a young and hungry team that is eager to learn,” Johnson said. “The time that I’ve spent with them has been absolutely joyous.”
Last season CAK finished 21-12 and made it to the Division II-A state tournament.
