New Andalusia linebackers coach Matt Johnson said he only requires one thing from his players — hard work.

“That’s going to pay dividends all around,” he said.

Johnson comes to Andalusia from Class 2A powerhouse Reeltown.

Reeltown won the 2009 state title, and finished runner-up in 2008.

Johnson said he played football for Reeltown from 2000-2002, and after high school, joined Huntingdon College’s football team, where he played for four years.

“Immediately when I graduated (college), I got hired at Reeltown as a linebackers coach,” Johnson said. “I was there the last three years.”

When asked what he thinks he can bring to the AHS football program, Johnson said his “passion” for football.

“It’s one of my passions, and it’s just the excitement of it,” he said. “Coach Seymore does a good job. He’s got a great system and a great program here.”

For 2010, Johnson’s expectations are at a high caliber for his first season in Andalusia.

“I think we’ll do pretty well,” he said. “I’ve got some young guys. With my starting four linebackers, I’d put them up against anybody from what I’ve seen.

“We’re still young as far as depth goes,” he said. “I’ve got two ninth graders as far as who is stepping up.

“In the past week, they’ve done a great job,” he said. “The players are very coachable, and that’s been my experience so far since I’ve been here. Everybody’s very coachable and it makes it a lot easier.”

Johnson teaches ninth grade math, and is married to wife, Hannah; and has two children; 3-year-old Cruise, and 5-month-old Emmett.