2025 Interview with Finneytown Head Coach Koury Johnson

 

Koury Johnson

College: I received my bachelor’s from Indiana Wesleyan and am working on my master’s in special ed at Liberty University.

Cincinnati/Finneytown

Position: Head Coach

Could you share with the readers your coaching tree, from first job to current job?

My first ever job was a freshman/JV OC at Northwest HS. Coach Lee Johnson gave me my first opportunity. When I started at Northwest, I was attracted to him because of our similarities. I would go to his class to talk football. Some days he would have to kick me out because he was teaching. Lol, I then inquired about the coaching spot, and the rest is history. I then went to Hughes High School as the offensive coordinator under Coach Chris Mobley. From there I went to Wilmington HS under Coach Ryan Evans as the Offensive Coordinator, who is not only a mentor but also a big brother to me! From there, I went back to Northwest under Coach Brandon Schon as his OC. Now I’m the head football coach at Finneytown HS with a great group of kids and coaches!

When you met with the player from Finneytown, what was the first thing you said to them?

The first thing I told them was I am a relational person who believes strong relationships drive any and everything. I explained to them how I even got into coaching, how important my family and faith are to me, and what they can expect from me as their head coach!

What was the first thing the players said to you?

N/A

What was the biggest motivation in taking the head coaching job at Finneytown?

The driving force for me taking the job at Finneytown is I wanted an opportunity to show that I can run my own program and really make a difference in the lives of the student body at Finneytown. I wanted to prove to myself that I could be a head coach in high school football! Thus, given a great opportunity from Dr. Warmack and the great staff, students, and community of Finneytown.

How will you go about picking your captains?

We will go through a selection process where the kids are able to vote. Some of the things I’m looking at for my captains are consistency, being coachable, being where they say they will be, and showing up on time.

What will you do to get the numbers up?

We have been recruiting in the building since the day they’ve allowed me on campus. Also, the kids have done a great job speaking for the program. There are several kids that came because of the love we push for each other in this short period of time. We talk about dominating the Day 1 rep, 1 play at a time. I believe that because we have been consistent with that message, that has caused others to want to join.

What offense and defense will you run?

We will be a power spread offense that looks to make the defense guard the entire field. Defensively, we will be a multiple odd front. Coach Dajuan Bethel (Defensive Coordinator) is doing a great job building confidence with the players on that side of the ball.

Will there be an open competition for starting positions, or will you stay with the returning starters?

We believe in competition. Every player has every opportunity to earn the starting spot in our program! Show up on time every day, work hard, develop your craft, and the sky is the limit.

Once you have openings on the schedule, what will you look for as far as playing non-league games?

N/A

As a head coach, what are your thoughts on playing games on Thursdays and Saturdays?

In my coaching career, I’ve had to coach 1 Thursday game. It was weird because I’m so stuck on Fridays. I’m open to them. As long as we show up to play, it really doesn’t matter to me.

What will you do, or can you do, as the head coach to make sure your players have their names out there for the all-star games after the season?

I am big on social media. I do a lot of pushing and celebrating the victories of our players to get them some shine. When it’s time for all-star games, I’m going to make sure I enter them in as many times as I’m allowed.

What all do you do as the head coach to aid your players in their recruitment?

N/A

Where is the best local spot to grab a good meal?

I am an avid pizza guy. Italianette’s is my favorite right now. Anytime I can get food from there, I’m a happy person.

Who are your favorite and least favorite NFL teams?

The only right answer is the Cincinnati Bengals as the favorites!! The Pittsburgh Steelers are my least favorite team, even though I am a Mike Tomlin fan.

Did you watch any of the UFL spring football games?

I watched a few. I liked the team who had the interim tag on the head coach and won it all! I thought that was pretty cool to see those guys battle hard for him.

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