Northwood head football coach Mitch Johnson steps down after one year
Northwood High School head football coach Mitch Johnson has left his position. Johnson was hired by Northwood last offseason and led the Chargers to a 7-4 overall record and an appearance in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A East playoffs. Northwood fell to Louisburg in a shootout in the first round.
Johnson announced his decision in a post to his X account on Monday evening.
Johnson was previously the head coach at South Iredell during the 2022 season. South Iredell went 4-7 overall under Johnson that fall. The Vikings made the N.C. High School Athletic Association's 4A state playoffs but fell to Watauga in the first round. It was the first time South Iredell made the playoffs since 2019
Before Johnson's arrival, Northwood finished 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the Central 3A Conference in 2022. The Chargers hadn't made the playoffs since the 2020-21 spring pandemic season.
Sources have told HighSchoolOT that Johnson has accepted a head coaching job at school that is further east. His hiring is pending a school board approval in early April.
Here is the statement that Johnson posted to his X account:
"I have made a very hard decision to leave Northwood High School to pursue another opportunity. This decision was based on me as a Husband and soon to be Father to do what was best for our family. I want to thank the entire Northwood High School admin team for giving me this opportunity and to all the staff at Northwood High School for supporting our football program and the student athletes. To my coaching staff, thank you for believing in me and having my back as we made history during this special season, I love y'all! Now the hardest part is saying "see ya later" and never bye to the Northwood Football Program players and parents. You all welcomed Darsity and I into Northwood and you all believed in us and this coaching staff, you worked hard, and it shows with this historic season. I expect you all to have an amazing season this year and I will be your biggest fan from afar! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Coach Johnson"
