Kamelio Johnson, the new head football coach at Knightdale High, has a history with emerging programs.

After graduating from South Carolina State in 1997, he worked as an assistant coach at Augusta (Ga.) Laney High for nine years.

The team went 0-10, 1-9 and 3-7 in consecutive years before beginning a six-year string of playoff seasons including state semifinal berths in 2002 and 2005.

"One of the appeals of the Knightdale program to me is that it is a fairly young program and we can grow together," said Johnson, who was an assistant coach at Sanderson the past two seasons.

"I think it is time for me to step out and build my own program."

A native of Belton, S.C., Johnson graduated from Belton-Honea Path High. He went to South Carolina State with the idea of joining the football team, but decided he'd rather start his coaching career. During his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, he was a student assistant coach.

"Kamelio did an outstanding job while serving the football program and teaching mathematics at Sanderson," Sanderson head football coach Jason Tindal said.

"I am very grateful for the job he did with us and am proud Knightdale decided to hire him as their head football coach."