Why coach Jay Johnson is back with South Bend Washington football program
SOUTH BEND — What’s old is new again for South Bend Washington football.
Following a four-season hiatus, Jay Johnson is back as head coach for the Panthers. Johnson previously led the program from 2012-18, compiling a 24-50 record. Johnson’s best season was 2015, going 8-3, ending with a loss in a sectional championship game to South Bend Saint Joseph.
“This has been home since I’ve started coaching high school football," Johnson said of why he decided to return. "To have an opportunity to come back home — it fit. It seemed right. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but also excited. I’m looking forward to what’s coming for west side football.”
More: Jay Johnson returning as South Bend Washington High School football coach
Johnson has been in the area since attending Notre Dame. A native of Starkville, Mississippi, Johnson played wide receiver for the Fighting Irish from 1996-2000. The highlight of Johnson’s Notre Dame tenure came in 1999, when he made a game-winning touchdown catch against Navy with 36 seconds left.
Johnson finished his collegiate career with 15 receptions, 312 yards and three touchdowns across four seasons.
Now, Johnson is tasked with rebuilding Washington once again. Since the Panthers were Class 4A state runners-up in 2011, they have only had two winning seasons. They were 2-8 in 2022.
The offense under former head coach Todd Stammich was run-first. Johnson is looking to adopt the spread offense.
More: Here are 2023 high school football schedules and links to previews
“We have quite a few athletes,” Johnson said. “We need to put them in a position to be in space, which is what I’m sure everyone is expecting from me – spread it out, throw the ball around. We won’t disappoint, in that regard.”
Here is what you need to know about the 2023 South Bend Washington football team:
South Bend Washington football facts
Head coach: Jay Johnson, 1st season back (coached Washington from 2012-18)
Location: South Bend
Conference: Northern Indiana
Class: 4A
Last year’s record: 2-8 (lost to NorthWood in sectional quarterfinals)
Key returners
Ja’Quan Patton, senior, running back
Patton was a key part of the run-heavy offense of the Panthers last season with 464 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries. Patton also handles some kickoff and punt return duties.
Dallonte Smith, senior, quarterback
Smith and classmate Mekhi Wilson have split quarterback duties in the past. On the 2023 roster, though, Wilson is listed as a wide receiver/running back/defensive back, while Smith is a quarterback and defensive back. Along with quarterback, Smith played some wide receiver a season ago.
The other quarterbacks listed on the roster are sophomore Noah Fry and junior Gabe Weber.
Jalil Neeley, sophomore, linebacker
Neeley has been a player that has caught the eye of Johnson during the summer and the start of fall practices.
“He’ll be a name that you need to pay attention to,” Johnson said. “He’s a sophomore. A great kid, great player.”
Key losses
∎ Jason Dockery, wide receiver: Dockery was a first-team all-NIC North-South division selection last year despite Washington’s run-first offense.
∎ Ty’shaun Grundy, defensive lineman: Like Dockery, Grundy was also a first-team all-conference selection for his play on the defensive line. Grundy is now playing collegiate basketball at Ancilla College.
Congratulations to 2023 Ty’Shaun Grundy on his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Ancilla College! #FSL pic.twitter.com/uOBGfiWTX7
— Five Star Basketball (@FiveStar_BB) April 26, 2023
∎ Hakim Smith, defensive lineman: Smith was a second-team all-NIC North-South pick in 2022.
More: 2022 NIC all-conference football team
What Coach Johnson says
On Washington’s biggest challenge: “With me being hired at the end of the school year and really not having the spring to practice, so far, this summer has been really good work. But we’re just not as tight and consistent with everything yet. Time will bring that, but with this situation and how everything happened, we weren’t blessed with that time for the offseason. It’s all the same things: we have to find out how to win. We have to find out how to lose and how to handle those situations, mentally. Just developing those skills, along with the skillset of the guys we have, can lead to some early success.”
On Washington’s key to success: “Every game, you have to have some plays where the ball bounces your way across the board. We’ll need a couple of those, but I think just buying in and committing to the process, and then taking pride in the product we put out every Friday from the beginning of the game to the end.”
South Bend Washington football 2023 schedule
Aug. 18 at Hammond Central, 8 p.m.
Aug. 25 vs. Bremen, 7
Sept. 1 at South Bend St. Joseph, 7
Sept. 8 at Calumet, 8
Sept. 15 vs. South Bend Clay, 7
Sept. 22 at South Bend Riley, 7
Sept. 29 at Jimtown, 7
Oct. 6 at Hamilton Heights, 7:30
Oct. 13 vs. John Glenn, 7
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Coach Jay Johnson back with South Bend Washington football in 2023
