Catholic finds Blackwell's replacement on campus with Johnson
By TIM GAYLE
When Aubrey Blackwell arrived at Catholic on Monday morning and informed Catholic president Justin Castanza and athletic director Daniel Veres of his decision to leave the school, it didn’t take Castanza and Veres but a few moments to figure out who the Knights’ next head football coach would be.
Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Kirk Johnson, who just recently turned down an opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, was the logical choice.
“He’s been Aubrey’s right-hand man and he’s grown in that role and learned from Aubrey and Aubrey has learned from him,” Veres said. “We’ve got a tight-knit community and he’s got a giant role in our community, just like Aubrey did. After talking to a few people and sitting back and discussing it, our conclusion was that this was what was best for the school and we’re at peace with the decision.
“It softens the blow somewhat. I hated to lose Aubrey. He’s just about my best friend in the world. We’ve spent six years together, but if you put that into hours, it’s probably more like 10 years.”
Johnson, a former Huntingdon College standout at linebacker, arrived at Catholic along with Blackwell in 2015 after spending two years at Sylacauga. In recent years, as the fortunes of Catholic football have taken a dramatic upturn, Johnson added the duties of recruiting coordinator, lining up visits from college coaches and coordinating official visits from Catholic players to interested college campuses in the fall.
While Blackwell declined to comment on his prospective new position, he said he was pleased at the decision of Castanza and Veres.
“I’m really excited, number one, for the continuity that will continue in our program,” Blackwell said. “Kirk and I have worked side by side, constantly, in developing these kids. He was more than just a DC, he was a true assistant head coach. The continuity and the culture is going to be able to continue to be maintained through Kirk. Like me (in 2015), he’s getting a first-time chance (from Catholic to be a head coach), something that he’s earned and he deserves. I’m excited for his growth as a coach.
“When I got the job at Catholic and offered him the DC job, he turned it down, he didn’t want it. Like me, he was nervous and didn’t know if he was ready. He’s just gotten better and better and better every year and he will do that as a head coach.”
Johnson, notified of the decision, issued a statement through the school that was distributed to parents on Tuesday.
“I would like to thank Daniel Veres, Justin Castanza and Eileen Aaron for this amazing opportunity,” Johnson said. “I would also like to thank Aubrey Blackwell for his mentorship and the foundation that he helped lay here at Montgomery Catholic. It’s not often that you get the opportunity in your first head coaching job to take over a state championship caliber football team.
“I look forward to the opportunity to expand on what has been built and to continue to lead this program to the next level. My wife, Meghan, and I are extremely grateful to be a part of this MCPS family. We will keep you all in our prayers and ask that you do the same for us.”
Catholic advanced to the 3A championship game for the first time in school history and returns most of the team intact, replacing receivers Myles Butler and DJ Carter, linemen Dean Johnson and Mahric Robinson and defensive leaders Marcus Dees and Spencer Bach.
“Montgomery Catholic has built a football and athletic program that focuses on helping student athletes become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field,” Castanza said. “Coach Kirk Johnson is committed to our school and our community, not just on the football field, but in all things Montgomery Catholic. We are poised for another championship caliber season as we continue to raise the bar and elevate expectations through a seamless transition.”