First-year coach Ron Smith resigned Monday just one year after he was hired to replace Michael Youngblood, who left to coach at Oconee County High.

Smith told the Johnson administration that he would like to pursue a career in the ministry.

"He’s been on some mission trips with his church before, but he really didn’t get too specific with the details," Johnson athletic director Stan Williams said.

Although the Johnson girls failed to win a game in Smith’s only season, Williams believes that he won’t have a problem selling the program to a potential coach. Johnson hasn’t had a winning season since 2005-06, when the Lady Knights advanced to the Class AAA state semifinals before falling to Hephzibah by one point.

"Everyone knows that Johnson is a great community to be in," Williams said. "What we’re going to sell them is our tradition and the fact that the coaches support one another.

"It wasn’t that long ago that we were successful," he added. "I feel that we still have the roots of a good program."

A timetable wasn’t set on when he would like to get a new coach, but Williams said the search will be extensive and include every type of candidate.

"You’d always love to have an experienced coach, but I’d venture to say that if there’s a young and upcoming assistant coach that shows a desire to rebuild a program, then we’d definitely consider that."