2016 – 2017 Newman Smith Coaching Staff
Head Coach – Percy Johnson
First let me say how excited I am to be a part of Newman Smith and
taking on the challenge of teaching and developing young athletes.
The administration has allowed me the opportunity to work with these
outstanding young men and I want to thank them for the confidence they
have shown me. We have high expectations for the basketball program at
Newman Smith; we hope to continue the winning tradition as well as
teaching our players the importance of team work. As coaches and
teachers, we realize that our players live in a fish bowl at Smith High
School, every word and action will be watched. Our program’s reputation
provides many opportunities yet brings many responsibilities. We must
be committed to build on the tradition of our program and respect those that have gone before
us and paid the price to build the program. As we begin the 2016-2017 season we hope you will
come show your support for Trojan Basketball.
Varsity Assistant Coach – Jason Crawford
Coach Crawford is entering his 5th year as a coach at Newman Smith High
School, and his 8th year of coaching overall. Coach Crawford hails from
Wichita Falls, TX and is a 2002 graduate of Rider High School. Coach
Crawford then went on to play baseball at Tyler Junior College, before
returning home to attend school at Midwestern State University, where
he earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in History in
2008. Coach Crawford has spent the bulk of his coaching career under
Percy Johnson here at Newman Smith. He has also had coaching stops at
Polk Middle School in Carrollton, Barwise Junior High and Rider High
School both in Wichita Falls, TX. Coach Crawford will return this year as
the Varsity Assistant, and the Head Freshmen Coach. Along with basketball Coach Crawford will
be an Assistant Coach for the Boys Track team. Jason and his beautiful wife Taryn have been
married since August 2014.
JV Coach – Ryan Higgins
Coach Higgins is entering his 1st year at Newman Smith High School and 3rd year of coaching
overall, and will serve as the head Junior Varsity coach. Coach Higgins grew up moving all over
the country and has lived in 7 states, but spent his elementary school years in Carrollton
attending Rosemeade Elementary. He is a graduate of Maize High School in Wichita, Kansas and
took an ROTC scholarship to come back home to DFW and attend TCU, where he graduated
with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a minor in Education. In addition to coaching basketball,
Coach Higgins also helps coach varsity football, serves as a 1st Lieutenant in the Texas Army
National Guard, and teaches World Geography.