John Osborne has piled up a lot of miles in his daily commute to Thomas Jefferson Academy in Louisville over the last five years. And with just another half of the school year to go, his rides there and back soon will end.
The reason: He was hired last week to become the new athletic director and head football coach at Briarwood Academy.
And he couldn't be more excited to return to the school he once served as an assistant football coach at for three years. Coach Osborne also served there as the junior varsity boys' basketball coach.
"I'm very excited to have the job," the 37-year-old Coach Osborne, who lives in Thomson, told The McDuffie Mirror during a telephone interview last Friday from Thomas Jefferson Academy. "I want to give this my very best and I want to do everything I can possibly do to build not only the football team, but the entire athletic department at Briarwood Academy."
For the past five years, Coach Osborne has served as defensive coordinator for the Thomas Jefferson Academy Jaguars. Briarwood Academy Board of Directors Chairman David Joesbury has confirmed the new roles that Coach Osborne will assume at the conclusion of the present school year.
Coach Osborne said he looks forward to the many challenges that await him at Briarwood Academy.
"It's going to be exciting for me and I hope exciting for the student/athletes and fans at Briarwood, too," Coach Osborne said. "I'm really looking forward to it."
He noted that he has not yet decided when football practice will begin at the school. Coach Osborne will replace former Head Coach Blake Duncan, who coached less than half of the games last season before resigning his position.
Briarwood Assistant Coaches Josh Morey and Bo Fleming were appointed afterwards to serve in a joint leadership role over the football program.
Clayton Parish, who has served as assistant headmaster and athletic director at the school for the past several years, will be stepping down from his position as AD. He will remain the school's assistant headmaster and head coach of the girls' varsity basketball program. Mr. Parish lives in Augusta.
