More than a decade ago, Marcell Johnson helped a relatively new Knightdale High School football program reach heights it had not experienced.
Now, Johnson has been selected to lead the program as head football coach.
Johnson, a 2014 Knightdale graduate, has spent the past several years as an assistant coach for the Knights. Last week, he was named Knightdale’s new head football coach. It’s a move that he says is not simply a promotion.
“Personally, it’s kind of everything I dreamed of,” Johnson said. “It’s a full-circle moment. Graduating from here, giving back to these kids, to this community, I couldn’t think of any better opportunity.”
Johnson became one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in the school’s history, and he believes that his connection to Knightdale gives him a unique understanding of the program and community that he has been asked to lead.
“I walked these same halls as these kids and grew up in the same neighborhoods as most of these kids,” Johnson said. “It’s an advantage, in my opinion.”
Johnson played both sides of the ball during his high school career for the Knights.
As a senior in 2013, he helped the Knights to an 11-2 record, which included a trip to the third round of the state playoffs. That remains the best football season in school history. As a senior, Johnson was named the Greater Neuse River 4A Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors.
“Being a part of the best Knightdale High School football team in school history, that season was definitely very memorable,” Johnson said. “There were a lot of accomplishments from not only myself, but my brother, playing alongside him for four years, and even playing with my oldest brother as a freshman on varsity.”
Johnson’s athletic career was more than football. He competed in four sports and was a seven-time state champion in track and field.
In 2013, Johnson ran on Knightdale’s 4×400-meter relay team, which finished in 3:12.87, breaking an NCHSAA all-classification record that had stood since 1987. He also helped Knightdale win the 4×800 relay, leading the Knights to a third straight boys track and field team state championship.
“I’m going to bring that same attitude and mindset that I had as a player to my coaching,” Johnson said. “Passionate, dedicated, consistent, and just a will to compete and a will to win.”
Johnson went on to play college football at James Madison, where he won the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision national title.
Johnson finished his college career with more than 100 tackles and five interceptions.
Although his dream was to play in the NFL, Johnson had always looked at coaching as another way to stay connected to football.
“I always said, even if I couldn’t make it to the league — and that was the number one dream — I would definitely look to give back through coaching,” Johnson said. “I wanted to be around the sport in some aspect, and coaching has definitely been my calling, especially over these past six years.”
Johnson began his coaching career at East Wake High School, Knightdale’s main rival. The experience helped launch his coaching career, but it didn’t feel natural for the Knightdale alum.
“Nothing against East Wake, but it just felt weird putting on blue and gold instead of black and gold,” Johnson said.
When an opportunity to return to Knightdale presented itself, Johnson did not hesitate.
Johnson has been part of the Knights’ football staff ever since, working with many of the players he will now lead as head coach. The current senior class first knew Johnson as their junior varsity coach when they were freshmen, giving Johnson and his seniors continuity as the program begins its transition.
“They know my coaching philosophies,” Johnson said. “They know what I do. They know I’m going to give it my all every time, and they know that I ask that from them as well.”
Johnson wants Knightdale to become known for its competitiveness, discipline, and accountability. He also wants more kids from the Knightdale community to see their hometown high school as a place where they can develop, win, and play at the next level.
Johnson plans to build his program around relationships. He describes himself as a players’ coach who is willing to listen while remaining firm in his expectations.
“At the end of the day, I’m the head coach, so it will be my say-so,” Johnson said. “But I would be in the wrong if I didn’t take their words and their considerations into account.”
Johnson wants Knightdale teams to play with the same passion and competitive edge he carried as a player, but his larger goal is to prepare players for what comes after football.
“We’re not just trying to build champions on the field,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to build life champions: better husbands, better brothers, sons, fathers, all of that stuff as well … Athletics will end one day, so we hope we build some professionals outside of the athletic world.”
Johnson left Knightdale to play college football and win a national championship. He returned because the black and gold still felt like home.
“I hope they say Marcell was a great player, great coach, and a great person,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to lead these guys the right way.”
Johnson’s first game as the head football coach at Knightdale will be a home game. The Knights open the season on Aug. 21 against Southern Nash.
