Juan Johnson, who led Baker to the Class 7A playoffs in his only season, has stepped down as the team’s head football coach.

He was scheduled to tell the team the news this afternoon.

One potential landing spot for Johnson, according to several sources, is James Clemens High. The Jets are looking for a replacement for Chad McGehee, who announced his retirement in November. The Madison City School Board has a meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday.

Baker athletic director Daniel Kertis released the following statement:

“I would like thank coach Johnson for his service to Baker High School and wish him and his family the best of luck in his future endeavors. Moving forward coach Eric Scott, our current defensive coordinator, will be named Interim Head Coach.

“Coach Scott has been a vital member of our coaching staff — a staff credited with transforming Baker football into the winning culture we have today. I look forward to him continuing to build on the success of coach Steve Normand and coach Juan Johnson and believe, with his experience and guidance, the future of our program is in good hands.”

The reigning Press-Register Coastal Coach of the Year, Johnson led Baker to a 9-3 record in 2023.

His team finished second in Class 7A, Region 1. Only a 34-31 overtime loss to Mary G. Montgomery prevented the Hornets from winning the region.

Baker beat Hewitt-Trussville in double overtime in the first round of the playoffs, a win that marked just the school’s second postseason victory. The Hornets lost to Enterprise in the quarterfinals.

Before taking over at Baker, Johnson spent eight years working for Josh Floyd at Hewitt-Trussville. He played football for Hall of Fame coach Jamie Riggs at T.R. Miller, helping the team to the 2000 state championship. He then played college football at Tuskegee.