NATCHEZ &045; Sue Johnson’s departure from a place she called home for 21 years did not last long.

After spending one year away from Natchez High coaching in Jackson, Johnson was hired as head girls’ basketball coach for the Lady Bulldogs. The Natchez-Adams School District approved the hiring during a Thursday evening meeting, and Johnson signed the contract Monday.

Johnson succeeds the late Mary Irving, the veteran head coach at NHS who died in February.

&uot;It’s what I’ve been waiting on all my life,&uot; said Johnson, the longtime assistant under Irving. &uot;I’m ready. I’d like for them to give me a chance. Put the trust in me and give me a chance to prove myself. I have nothing but the children’s best interest at heart.&uot;

Johnson, who spent 21 years on staff at Natchez High as assistant basketball and head softball coach, was one of six applicants for the position accepted prior to the April 27 deadline.

Natchez-Adams assistant superintendent Larry Little served as chairman of the interview committee, which met with

candidates last week. Johnson, he said, made the committee’s decision an easy one.

&uot;She just gave such a good interview,&uot; Little said. &uot;She gave a fine interview, and that’s not to say the others didn’t give a good interview. Based on all five of the people doing the interview, she came out on top.

&uot;She’s been an assistant for a good number of years. She’s paid her dues.&uot;

Johnson left prior to the 2003-04 school year to serve as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Murrah High School, under veteran head coach Anna Jackson. Even though Johnson was away, she kept contact with friends in Natchez &045; including giving an emotional testimony on her relationship with Irving at a memorial for the longtime head coach.

Johnson also made an appearance in February when Murrah visited Natchez for a regular season contest.

&uot;I think this was a job she really and truly wanted to have,&uot; Natchez High activities director Robert Cade said. &uot;When she was at the junior high, she taught PE there and had a feel for all of the kids she taught. She’ll be dealing with kids who already have a feel for her. It should be all right.&uot;

Johnson’s season away was memorable as the Lady Mustangs lost in the Class 5A state championship game to Hancock, 60-46. The year away, Little said, may have benefited Johnson before returning to Natchez to take over the program.

Johnson was part of three state championship teams with the Lady Bulldogs under Irving.

&uot;I don’t regret (leaving),&uot; Johnson said. &uot;It was a learning experience. It didn’t do anything but help me. As a matter of fact, I think it was all in God’s plans. It was just a learning tool. I’ve been in a championship program before. I learned some new things, and every year you learn more.&uot;

Johnson’s plan when she left Natchez High last May was to serve as an assistant at Murrah for one season before Jackson was to retire, but that didn’t work out. Once she heard Natchez officials opening the position up to applicants, she didn’t hesitate to apply.

&uot;I think that’s something she really and truly wanted to do &045; be a head coach,&uot; Cade said. &uot;There are always some things you want to do but can’t do because you’re an assistant. You’re limited in that aspect of what you can do. As a head coach, you can implement anything you want.&uot;

While Johnson admitted she picked up much of her basketball ideas from Irving, there are still other things she’ll do differently. The head coach as a core of returning players back from last year’s 9-12 finish that included a loss in the opening round of the Division 6-5A tournament.

That team, however, was a rebuilding one following the 2002-03 season that lost three key starters &045; all of which signed to play junior college ball.

&uot;Mine is going to be a little different, but some of the things will be the same,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;Every coach has their own style. I’ll take my own learning experiences and roll it into one big ball and see what we come up with. All I need (the girls) to do is just listen to me &045; go in there with the willingness and belief we can be in the Big House, and we’ll be there.&uot;