North Johnston football coach Michael Barnett retires
Michael Barnett has retired from teaching and coaching at North Johnston High School. Barnett had been the head football coach at the school since 2019. He helped the Panthers make the N.C. High School Athletic Association's state playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
"Coach Barnett has decided to take a job opportunity in the private sector and retired from teaching and coaching," North Johnston athletic director Jay Poole told HighSchoolOT. "He will be truly missed in the classroom and the football field at North Johnston High School. His contributions to the faculty and students will always be appreciated and valued. North Johnston High School wishes Coach Barnett all the best as he moves forward with the next phase of his career. And always, 'Once a Panther, always a Panther!'"
North Johnston finished the 2023 season with a 4-7 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the Neuse 6 2A Conference. The Panthers played relatively well on the road at 2-seed Northeastern and fell 41-21.
Barnett's overall record at the helm of the Panthers' varsity team was 12-38. North Johnston had not posted a winning record in the two seasons leading up to Barnett's take over.
Prior to becoming the head coach, Barnett was an assistant at North Johnston and Goldsboro.
The school is currently taking applications for the head coaching role.
North Johnston plays in the Neuse 6 2A Conference with Beddingfield, Eastern Wayne, Goldsboro, Princeton, and Spring Creek.
