Johnson named Gators Football Coach For 2nd Time after leaving MDCC
A familiar face has returned to lead the Northside High School football program.
Tavares Johnson, Sr. will be leading the Gators for the second time in program history. Johnson takes over as head coach after previous coach Montrelli Finley resigned after two seasons. For the last threes seasons, Johnson had been the Head Football Coach at Mississippi Delta Community College. Johnson resigned from his post at MDCC to take over the job at Northside High School. Prior to going to MDCC, he was at Simmons in 2021.
“The biggest thing that factored into my decision was my contract situation,” said Johnson about leaving MDCC. “An investments has to be made by the administration in resources and facilities and things like that. At this time, it’s probably best for me to move on because I think I’m a couple a years ahead of a time before they’re ready for somebody like myself at Mississippi Delta. That’s what led me to my decision to step down and come back to Northside.”
When John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Mound Bayou and Broad Street High School in Shelby merged to form Northside in 2018, Johnson was tabbed to lead the football program. During Johnson’s previous stint at Northside, the Gators had a winning season in each year with two Region 3-2A Championships (2019, 20). The 2019 season was the Gators’ best season under Johnson as they went 14-1 with a 2A North Half Championship and a trip to the 2A State Championship game where they finished State Runner-Up. The Gators were 27-6 under Johnson from 2018-20. This year will mark his 18th year as a head high school coach. His career coaching record is 138-65 with 1A State Championships at Simmons in 2015 and 16.
“I’m excited,” said Johnson about coming back to Northside. “It’s a blessing to come back to the community. That community is full of great people who just love Northside and all the players that come along with it. I’m excited. I just want to thank the board of trustees, the principal and the superintendent for believing in me and giving me another chance. I just feel like we’ve got some unfinished business. We went to the state championship, but we didn’t win it. We’re in this business to win the state championship. I think my experiences at Mississippi Delta have prepared me a little bit better to tackle and to compete for a state championship.”
Since Johnson left the program, the Gators have remained strong has they’ve posted a record of 37-12 over the last four years. Last year, they went 10-4 with a trip to the 2A North Half Championship game.
For Johnson, it isn’t surprising that Northside remained a successful program after he moved on.
“Shelby and Mound Bayou have traditionally produced great athletes, and I don’t know why that should stop right now,” said Johnson. “The only thing that happened was instead of two high schools against each other, we have one high school with all that talent in one school and one place. That’s why it’s not surprising to me that Northside has continued to succeed. Again, I’m excited about the opportunity of coming back.”
Right now, the Gators have been working out in the weight room. Their first official practice will be on Aug. 4. Northside’s football season is set to start on Aug. 29 when the team is slated to host Jefferson County.