Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
West announces new coaches
CENTERTON — The opportunity to develop a basketball program that is still relatively new was something that caught Ryan Johnson’s eye and appealed to him.
Johnson, 30, was named Bentonville West’s girls basketball coach during Wednesday’s special school board meeting. Johnson replaces Dion Hargrove, who earlier stepped down after three years with the
Lady Wolverines.
“I’m really excited about it,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long process, and I’m ready to get things going. I think it’s a place where we can be successful now and for years to come. It’s a great area, a great community and great support. I’m ready to get over there and get to work.
“I personally like the freshness and the newness of it. I think there is a lot of firsts that can be done there, which is exciting. You also get to compete in one of the best conferences in girls basketball. That’s an exciting challenge.”
Johnson moves to West from Valley Springs, where he’s been the coach for the past five seasons. During that time, his Lady Tigers team compiled a 145-52 record overall and a 27-11 mark in postseason play.
His first Valley Springs team finished with a 36-7 record and reached the 2020 Class 3A state championship game before it was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Lady Tigers have reached the district tournament finals and the regional tournament finals all five seasons under Johnson’s guidance.
“He’s had success at Valley Springs,” Bentonville
West Athletic Director Kevin Downing said. “When we met and visited with him, he’s organized. He’s a hard worker, and he’s got a plan for every facet of the game and, honestly, every level of the program from third grade on.
“We’ve got a foundation, and he has a chance to build on that foundation. We have talent coming up. Our junior highs are doing well, and Grimsley opening up 4 years ago has helped. It’s going to help girls basketball at West.”
The board also approved the hiring of Britney Davis as West’s volleyball coach. Davis, who has been at Gravette for five years, replaces Julie Rowan, who stepped down after eight years with the program but will remain at the school in a teaching position.
Davis led the Lady Lions to a 23-3 record overall and a 9-0 mark in Class 4A-Northwest Conference play. Gravette won the regular-season and conference tournament titles and reached the Class 4A state semifinals.
“I have to express my gratitude to Coach Norman Mitchell and the Gravette School District for 5 amazing years,” Davis said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to have coached incredible girls and to be a part of such a supportive community.
“I am honored and excited to be the head volleyball coach at Bentonville West. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and community to make Bentonville West volleyball one of the most competitive programs in the state.”
“I personally like the freshness and the newness of it. I think there is a lot of firsts that can be done there, which is exciting. You also get to compete in one of the best conferences in girls basketball. That’s an exciting challenge.”
New Bentonville West girls basketball Coach Ryan Johnson after being officially named to the position during Wednesday’s special school board meeting
“When we met and visited with him, he’s organized. He’s a hard worker, and he’s got a plan for every facet of the game and, honestly, every level of the program from third grade on.”
Bentonville West Athletic Director Kevin Downing on new girls basketball Coach Ryan Johnson