Now, it’s official.

 

The Harrison County Board of Education approved the recommendation of the Bridgeport High School administration that officially makes Johnny Cole the head coach of the Indians football program. The status removes the interim tag Cole had during the 2017 season.

 

Last week, BHS Principal Mark DeFazio said that barring something unusual the recommendations are approved. He called tonight’s approval a “formality,” which turned out to be the case.

 

With the move, Cole becomes the 18th coach in Bridgeport’s long and storied history. However, Cole is no “Johnny Come Lately.” In fact, no one on the staff has as much time with the Indians’ program.

 

“This is something I’ve been part of now for more than 20 years,” said Cole. “For most of that time I was an assistant working with the line, but that changed up last year.

 

“This wasn’t a decision I took lightly,” Cole continued. “I just wanted to be able to try and play a part in keeping things going and hopefully keep the program on a winning path.”

 

Cole has now spent more than 20 years on the Indians’ sideline. All of it, with the exception of last year, was in the capacity as an assistant. He also has the benefit of knowing the program as a player.

 

In 1985, Cole graduated from Bridgeport High School. He also teachers at his alma mater. The 1984 team where Cole served as a senior lineman saw the Tribe finish 9-3. Shortly after that and after graduating from then FSC, he began coaching at the middle school (junior high) level under Coach Tom Fogg and was the BHS freshman coach at the end of Wayne Jamison’s tenure. After that, he served as an assistant to Bruce Carey and Josh Nicewarner.

 

He took over late in the summer on an interim tag after Nicewarner resigned. Cole managed to lead the team to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the 2017 Class AA semifinals where the team fell to eventual state champion Bluefield.

 

“I was impressed with how he handled a difficult situation and did it with class,” said Harrison County Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin. “I was pleased to see him not only succeed on the field, but succeed in making things work smoothly for those students.”

 

Cole was one of three individuals to apply for the position, which had to be posted due to him serving on an interim basis. All three candidates were interviewed by DeFazio and Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto.

 

“First and foremost I want to thank the Bridgeport administration for the opportunity and to thank Dr. Manchin and the Board for their confidence in me,” said Cole. “Now I have to reward that confidence. I’m all in because I’m not ready to quit and I want to see that success continue.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.