Elsewhere in the Pasco County prep football scene, Cypress Creek head football coach Mike Johnson recently earned Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach of the Week honors for his team’s Week 1 win over Gulf High on Aug. 25 — the school’s inaugural regular season football game.
The honor means Johnson will receive a $2,000 grant to help maintain and upgrade the Cypress Creek football program.
At the conclusion of the season, a Buccaneers High School Coach of the Year will be selected and earn an additional award from the pro franchise.
Candidates are chosen based on coaches that have led their schools to an impressive victory, and demonstrated a commitment to fundamentals, player safety, sportsmanship, academic development and community engagement.
Johnson, in his first year as a varsity head coach, has no seniors on the roster, as only underclassmen from Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools were rezoned to Cypress Creek. The school, at 8701 Old Pasco Road, has about 1,500 students in grades six through 11 this year.
The first-year program also was at a disadvantage when it had limited participation in spring drills and no spring game, as most players were occupied with other sports and activities at their former schools.
Johnson previously coached at Stuart Middle School and served as an offensive line coach at Wesley Chapel High School, under former head coach Ben Alford.
Johnson, who also was a former defensive back at Division III Eureka College in Illinois, bases his coaching foundation on what he refers to as the “5Cs”— Commitment, Consistency, Courage, Communication and Compassion.
Published September 13, 2017
