Mortimer Jordan has hired Cullman assistant Jason Johnsey as its new varsity boys basketball coach. 

The move was announced on Tuesday. He replaces Josh Golden, who left to become the varsity boys coach at Hartselle.

Johnsey has spent the previous two seasons on the Black and Gold bench, helping coach Stu Stuedeman and the Bearcats advance to the Sweet 16 (2023) and Elite Eight (2024). The program won 49 games — against just 15 losses — and a pair of area titles during that time.

He previously served as Cullman’s freshman boys coach for two seasons before taking over as the varsity boys coach at Curry for the 2021-22 campaign and leading the Yellow Jackets to 15 wins.

Johnsey won’t have to wait long to make his return to Bearcat Arena, either, as Mortimer Jordan will duke it out against Cullman and Jasper in Class 6A, Area 13 next season.

“Having had the opportunity to teach and coach at Cullman High School for four years has been a highlight of my professional and coaching career,” Johnsey said. “It would take an exceptional opportunity for me to consider leaving what is an amazing student body, administration, faculty and basketball program. Now as I join the Mortimer Jordan family, I feel very lucky and grateful to have been given this new role and would like to thank Mr. (Rodney) Ragland, Mr. (Tim) Reeves, Coach (Shayne) Carnes and the leaders at Jefferson County Schools for this opportunity.”

Stuedeman, meanwhile, said he was “ecstatic” for Johnsey and his family, adding the coach was a “tireless worker” both on the court and in the academic arena.

“He’s passionate about working with kids and is certainly in the right business for the right reasons,” Stuedeman said. “There is no doubt in my mind that he will do very well at Mortimer Jordan. When it comes to building a staff and a program, you strive to surround yourself with extraordinary people. You hope that the work you do together will be positive and impactful. So, as odd as it may seem, it should almost be your goal, or at least an unspoken expectation, that one day other schools will want to hire away the talented, dynamic individuals on your team. It signals you must be hiring good people and doing something right. 

“This is a win for both coach Johnsey and Cullman basketball. We could not be more proud and happy for him.”