Madison High School has named assistant principal Javin Walker as interim head football coach following the unexpected departure of former head coach Levi Washington, who accepted the head coaching position at Carroll High School in Monroe.
Walker, who also coaches track, said the short timeline before the upcoming season means he will maintain most of what Washington had in place.
“Coach Washington’s departure was kind of unexpected to me,” Walker said. “What I got planned is to just build off of things he already had in place. I’m not planning on coming in and making big changes if I don’t have to because I’ve just got this announcement. Football season is around the corner. Realistically, I don’t have time to come up with a brand new defensive and offensive scheme. I just don’t. So I’m going to build off of what he had already implemented. If I see some things that might need to be changed or some things that I want to tweak, then I’ll do that at that time.”
Walker said his familiarity with students will help as the team transitions leadership.
“I have a great rapport with the students,” he said. “I always have had a great rapport with the students. I’ve coached before, currently coaching track, so my rapport with the students is good. Communication, rapport with most of the parents are good also.”
Walker has been with the district for six years and is entering his seventh.
Principal Dr. Perry Revels confirmed the interim appointment and said the full-time hiring process will begin after the season concludes.
“We named our interim head football coach,” Revels said. “As Coach Walker stated, the season is upon us. We have a scrimmage game scheduled for the 22nd. From the 22nd, we go into our jamboree on the 29th. And then of course our full-fledged season begins.”
Revels said after the season ends, the district will advertise the position for about a month. The district will ensure that applicants meet Louisiana High School Athletic Association bylaws and Bulletin 741 requirements, which mandate certification as a teacher to serve as head football coach or head basketball coach.
“From there, we’ll name that person so he or she can get in position to actually begin spring practices and recruitment,” Revels said.
Revels said the program remains focused on preparation.
“Although we had to succumb to the loss of a football coach and name an interim coach, I know we are resilient,” he said. “We will be prepared for our opponents without a shadow of a doubt, and I’m looking forward to a great season.”
