Madison Tabs Homegrown Johnson as a new football coach

Madison township-a Madison soccer program, which urgently needs stability needs, hopes that it has found its long-term solution.

Rams' product and long -time assistant Kobi Johnson was presented as a new football coach on Tuesday morning. Johnson replaces Brent Besancon, who left after two seasons to become head coach in Orrville.

The short term of Besancon came up with Scott Valentine's one -year stay in Madison. The Valentine resigned to return to Ashland.

This will make Johnson the fourth football coach for school in five years.

Therefore, sports director Doug Rickert sought a trainer who would bring the continuity program. Johnson is this trainer.

“The old” bleeding green “proverb, this RAM-Stolz, which has run through my veins in Eastview since my elementary school,” said Johnson, whose parents and grandparents Madison graduated. “It is time that the children have someone who is in this place and at them.”

It was the message that Rickert and the search committee hoped to hear.

“His interview really blew us away. He used words such as commitment, loyalty and trust, ”said Rickert. “Above all, the word that really hit me was the brotherhood. We had a lot of adversity here, but how will we get together?

“Kobi told us that this was his dream job. No insult to the boys we had, but we can no longer have this conversation about being here and then going. That is exactly what we need. “

Johnson played football and basketball in Madison before graduation in 2013. He was in Madison's Playoff soccer team 2012 that won a regional quarter -final game before fell in the regional semi -finals on the later State -II -State -Champion Toledo Central Catholic.

Sean Conway, headmistress of the Madison High School, was the coach of this team.

“Madison needed someone who believes in our students and players and takes care of our players,” said Conway. “Kobi Johnson is the perfect attitude.

“I believe in him. I love him and I am very proud of him. “

Conway's five-year term as a coach of Madison ended in 2014 with a playoff appearance. Since then, the program has only won 13 games in the 10 seasons.

Madison was 2-8 last autumn, but turned a corner under Besancon. The Rams lost in a field gate in West Holmes in the last second, pushed the champion of Ohio Cardinal Conference Ashland before the fall on triple-over-time and gave up the game-giving touchdown in Lexington in the last seconds.

All three teams reached the third round of the playoffs.

Johnson was Besancon's defense coordinator in the last two seasons. He joined Jamie Masis while he was still on college in the state of Ohio and worked under Dave Stupka and Valentine.

“The experiences that I have and the coaches I worked for, I have the feeling that I was preparing for it,” said Johnson, health in middle school and strength training at the high school.

“In ten years I have every intention of being at Madison. There is no other place where I want to be. “

Johnson was also part of a Madison basketball program that reached the regional tournament for the first time in 2011.

“I have to be part of some very good teams and hopefully we can return to such fame,” said Johnson. “The way back begins to create this faith and to feel important to the children. This is a good opportunity for the community to gather with these children. “

He can't wait to get started.

“When I met the children for the first time, it was an emotional moment,” said Johnson. “I am very happy to go to work and to rebuild this program.”