CENTERTON — The opportunity to develop a still relatively new basketball program caught the eye of Rian Johnson and was appealing to him.
Johnson, 30, was named Bentonville West girls basketball coach during Wednesday's special school board meeting. Johnson replaces Deion Hargrove, who retired after three years with the Lady Wolverines.
“I'm really excited,” Johnson said. “It's been a long process, but we're ready to move things forward. I think this is a place where we can be successful now and for many years to come. It's a great area, a great community, a great Support. I'm ready to go out there and do the work.
“Personally, I like the freshness and newness. I think we'll be able to do a lot of firsts there, so it's really exciting. We also get to be in one of the best conferences in women's basketball. It's It's an exciting challenge.”
Johnson comes to West from Valley Springs, where he has coached for the past five seasons. During that time, his Lady Tigers teams posted a record of 145-52 overall and 27-11 in postseason play.
His first Valley Springs team finished with a 36-7 record and advanced to the 2020 Class 3A state championship game, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Lady Tigers reached the district and regional tournament finals in all five seasons under Johnson's guidance.
“He's had success at Valley Springs,” Bentonville West athletic director Kevin Downing said. “When we met him and visited him, he was organized. He is a hard worker and has a plan for every aspect of the game and, to be honest, every level of the program from his junior year onwards. Masu.
“We have the foundation and he has a chance to build on that foundation. We have talent emerging. Our middle school is progressing well and with the opening of Grimsley four years ago, It helped. It's going to help West University women's basketball.”
The board also approved the hiring of Brittney Davis as West's volleyball coach. Davis, who has been at Gravette for five years, will replace Julie Rowan, who resigned after eight years with the program, but will remain at the school in a teaching capacity.
Davis led the Lady Lions to a 23-3 mark overall and 9-0 in Class 4A Northwest Conference play. Gravette won the regular season and conference tournament titles and advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals.
“I have to thank Coach Norman Mitchell and the Gravette School District for a great five years,” Davis said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to mentor such amazing girls and be part of such a supportive community.
“I am honored and excited to serve as Bentonville West's head volleyball coach. I will continue to work with our student-athletes and community to make Bentonville West volleyball one of the most competitive programs in the state. We look forward to working together.”