Jordan Johnson is no stranger to Friendswood or Friendswood High School as the 2009 FHS graduate was named as the new athletic director/head football coach for the Friendswood Mustangs replacing veteran Robert Koopmann who recently retired after 29-years at FHS with 11-years as the head coach.
Koopmann served as the offensive coordinator under former head coach Steve Van Meter and then stepped up in place of Van Meter in 2012 where he fashioned a 79-46 record as the head coach.
Johnson was the wide receiver coach for Rockwall High School for six years and then was the offensive coordinator for state-power Denton Guyer for the last three years.
Guyer’s football team posted a 38-6 record during that stretch and reached the Class 6A state semifinals in all three of Johnson’s seasons with a state championship appearance in 2021.
Rockwall had playoff wins during each of Johnson’s six seasons while advancing to the state semifinals in 2019.
“One thing that can be true of any program is just the importance of having a process that you really believe in, and being an effective communicator of what that process looks like and getting your guys to buy into that on a daily basis,” Johnson said.
“Not all schools are the same, so that’ll look a little different at Friendswood,” he added. “Getting there and figuring out what that program needs and what that process looks like, that’s the job of the coaching staff.”
Friendswood ISD released the following comments from their administrative leaders.
FHS Principal Mark Griffon said, “I was inspired by the way Jordan communicated his positive vision for our athletes and their success. I was filled with pride as coach Johnson shared his vision, remembering that he is a FHS graduate and a product of our tradition of excellence.”
FISD Superintendent Thad Roher said, “Jordan came to Friendswood at a critical point in his life as a student. The teachers, coaches, and staff of FISD poured into him and it transformed his trajectory.
He has the drive in him to pay that forward and now has a unique opportunity to do it in the town and school system that poured into him. This creates a unique level of passion that I think will be transformational for many.”
Friendswood has had some tough times in the past five years as they have missed the playoffs the last three out of five years after finishing 6-4 in 2018, 9-3 in 2019, 3-6 in 2020, 6-5 in 2021, and 4-6 in 2022. That’s a 30-22 mark during that five-year stretch.
Johnson’s DNA is seeing his teams go deep in the post-season, so he has a real challenge in front of him, especially since the Mustangs are in one of the toughest 5A districts in the state.
“I’m extremely process-oriented,” said Johnson, whose two-year contract was approved by the school board in a 6-0 vote. “Of course, I set goals, but I do my best not to look too far ahead and instead control what I can control. As far as a leadership style, it’s all about developing others to be the best versions of themselves possible.”
Despite the challenges that lie ahead for the young Johnson, he is excited to return to Friendswood to make an impact on the Mustangs football fortunes.
“I am so excited to return home and for me and my wife Madeline to be a part of a community that is so special to me,” Johnson said. “I cannot wait to serve the students, faculty, and community of Friendswood as the AD/Head Football Coach.
Friendswood is filled with so many special people that I love and appreciate. I cannot wait for the list to grow as we begin this journey.”
