OAKWOOD — Johnson High School announced Friday that Brandon Pickell has been named the new head boys basketball coach for the Knights, pending school board approval.
This past season, Pickell served as an assistant at Lanier High School, helping guide that program to a school record in wins, as well as the first Sweet 16 appearance in school history.
Coach Pickell follows Tyler Whitlock, who recently resigned his position with the Knights to be the take over the boys program at Denmark High School in Forsyth County.
Pickell spent his first five years in coaching at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw. While there, the program went to three state semifinals, won two state championships, and one NACA National Championship. After his time at North Cobb Christian, he spent five years at Summerour Middle School in Norcross. Following that time, he has coached at Central Gwinnett High School and at Lanier.
“I am tremendously excited and honored to accept the head coaching position at Johnson High School," Pickell said via press release. "My family and I love this community and are very excited to further set roots inside Hall County.”
“Brandon Pickell has a deep understanding of the game of basketball and the character it takes to be successful in the classroom, on the court, and in life," Johnson Principal Stan Lewis said. "We are fortunate to have him guiding our young men and the JHS boys basketball program.”
Knights athletic director Jonathan Edwards was impressed by his Pickell's reputation: “Coach Pickell brings with him the reputation of being an excellent teacher of the game, and having a positive impact on all of the student athletes he works with. We are excited about his vision for Johnson basketball, and we are looking forward to him continuing to build upon the values of our school and community.”
Pickell and his wife, Sarah, have been married since 2009, and they have three children: Noah (7), Charlotte (4), and Lila Kate (2).
