Mitchell Johnson resigns at St. Augustine, joins East Jefferson boys basketball coaching staff

An excellent high school coach is moving on from his alma mater to try to help make another program an elite program.

Mitchell Johnson said he recently resigned after eight seasons on the job at St. Augustine.

John posted an extremely impressive record of 210-54 with the Purple Knights.

Johnson has been hired as the top assistant coach at East Jefferson under new head coach Marcell Fisher, who was hired in June by the Warriors.

A St. Augustine graduate, Johnson was part of a state championship team at St. Aug in 1995 and was part of the 2011 Purple Knights state championship team as an assistant coach.

Johnson was promoted to head coach at his alma mater in 2013 after Clifford Barthe departed to become an assistant coach at Tulane prior to Barthe becoming the head coach at Delgado.

Johnson guided St. Augustine to the state championship game in Division I twice (2019, 2020) and he took the Purple Knights to the semifinals twice (2014, 2017).

“I am grateful for the opportunity at EJ,” Johnson. “Coach Fisher and I have always stayed connected from his son. He is a good man and coach. I am a little familiar with the East Jefferson program and how Ryan Dicharry did a good job there in competing against them. I was grateful for the opportunity that St. Augustine gave me.”

Johnson took a leave of absence for personal reasons during the 2019-2020 season before returning to the sideline just prior to the start of the Division I playoffs.

Fisher is thrilled to have Johnson on his staff.

“I’m excited to have him,” Fisher said. “We have always been good friends. My son played for him. I think our styles will fit well today and I’m really excited to have him as we look to build East Jefferson into a championship program.

Sai Fisher graduated from St. Aug in 2018, playing for Johnson.

“I saw what Mitchell was able to do with my son,” Fisher said. “He will bring a great deal to our program, though I know he could become a head coach again soon.