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Leesburg Talking To Johnson, April 3, 1992

Ohs Football Coach Applies At Alma Mater

April 03, 1992|By Frank Carroll Of The Sentinel Staff
KISSIMMEE — Greg Johnson, Osceola High's football coach since 1988, said Thursday he will interview for a coaching vacancy at Leesburg High, his alma mater.

Leesburg Principal James Polk's interview with Johnson, the Kowboys' head coach since 1988, is scheduled for Monday.
 
Johnson is among 15 candidates for the vacancy created when Leesburg coach Ken Weir resigned last month after three seasons to take over at Martin County High School in Stuart.

Polk, who says there is no leading candidate for the job, is accepting applications through April 10. Finalists will be screened by a search committee, which is scheduled to narrow the field to four by April 13. Polk, who was assistant principal when Johnson attended Leesburg, hopes to announce the Yellow Jackets' new coach before spring practice next month.

Friends in Leesburg have been lobbying Johnson to return, Johnson said. His mother still lives there.

''Twenty years ago, I was being recruited to leave Leesburg,'' the former All-State lineman said. ''Twenty years later, I'm being recruited to come back.''



But that still doesn't mean Johnson will leave Osceola. Earlier this year he rejected an offer to join Gene McDowell's staff as the University of Central Florida's defensive line coach.

''I'm very happy at Osceola. I'm not looking to leave,'' Johnson said. ''Osceola High and Kissimmee have treated me and my family fairly, and we're committed to the community. But, because of circumstances, it's worth sitting down and listening to what those people have to say. If it wasn't Leesburg, I wouldn't give it a second thought.''

Johnson, 38, joined Osceola's staff as an assistant in 1984 and became the Kowboys' head coach when Mike Vogt resigned after two seasons.

Osceola, 26-18 under Johnson, was a Class AAA state semifinalist in 1990 and has been involved in postseason competition three of the past four seasons.

''We'd hate to lose Greg,'' said Chuck Paradiso, Osceola's principal. ''He's a fine teacher, a positive role model for the kids and a good coach.''

Johnson, with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of teaching experience, last season collected a $3,056 coaching supplement on top of a $25,900 annual salary.

His wife, Linda, a librarian at Neptune Middle School, will play an important role in the decision.
''She's very happy here,'' Johnson said. ''I must consider what's advantageous for me and my family.

''There are fringe benefits to consider,'' he said. ''That's why I'm going to listen.''
A two-time (1970-71) All-State lineman for Leesburg, Johnson was a three-year starter for Florida State University.

The Philadelphia Eagles' fifth-round pick in the 1976 NFL draft, Johnson was traded to Baltimore and played with the Colts a year before signing with Tampa Bay, where he scored a touchdown in the franchise's first victory in 1977.


After two seasons with Winnipeg in the Canadian Football League, injuries helped lead to Johnson's 1979 decision to retire.

Johnson coached two years as an assistant at Jacksonville Episcopal before joining Osceola's staff in 1984.

Until Johnson submits a resignation, Paradiso has no plans to look for a replacement.

''At this point, we don't know if Greg is simply taking a look-see, or if there's more to it,'' he said. ''Until we know what Greg is going to do we're not making any plans.''

Resources
Frank Carroll 
The Sentinel Staff
Orlando Sentinel
February 18, 1996

Leesburg Public Library
http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/
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Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
















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