Dresden hires former SMU grad assistant Wes Johnson as new football coach

Michael Odom
Jackson Sun

One month after Levi Estes left for a job in Georgia, Dresden has named a new football coach, coming from the state of Texas.

Wes Johnson was named the new football coach at Dresden on Thursday after spending the past three seasons at Southern Methodist University.

"Obviously, their tradition, especially the past 10 years with a .750 winning percentage, was a big pull to Dresden," Johnson said. "When I met with the kids today, I told them that it has been my dream to be a high school head coach since I was their age. Every decision in my life has ultimately been to lead up to this point."

Dresden is 93-31 over the past 10 years with a state championship in 2016 and a runner-up finish in 2011.

"What I have been stressing to these guys to take it day by day," Johnson said. "'Players are great' didn't happen overnight. It is all those little small things that add up to results."

Johnson will have eight days with the team before dead period starts on June 24.

"I know it is cliche, but I want to implement the culture to win the day and do all the small things," Johnson said. "We are not getting into football until after dead period. It is about working out and seeing what I have to work with."

Johnson went to high school at McNairy Central and is a 2014 graduate from UT Martin. He was the defensive line coach at McNairy Central in 2015.

Johnson was set to be an assistant at Arkansas this season before being named the new head coach at Dresden. Johnson was a volunteer analyst for SMU before becoming a grad assistant last season.

Estes coached Dresden for two season with a 15-7 record.

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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.