Johns Gibson eager to start journey at alma mater

When the door opened for Jessica Johns Gibson to come and coach softball at Pleasant Home, she walked straight through.

Johns Gibson was hired as the Lady Eagles’ next softball coach at Tuesday’s Covington County Board of Education meeting. She replaces Bradley Stephens, who left to be the head softball coach at Enterprise.

“God definitely opened a door for me at Pleasant Home,” Johns Gibson said. “I consider it the biggest blessing to be able to come back. Most people don’t have the opportunity to come back home, and just have that pride.”

Johns Gibson comes back to her alma mater after spending more than three years at Kinston. She interned starting in 2011 and then became a full-time assistant coach in 2012.

The Andalusia native played shortstop and was a four-year starter at PHS under former coach Jimmy Reeves, who is at Opp.

In her senior year, the Lady Eagles finished as Class 1A state runners up in 2007.

Having an awesome experience playing at PHS, in Andalusia’s recreational league and a year at LBWCC really helped Johns Gibson’s decision to become a coach.

“I felt like God opened the door for me to get back into coaching,” she said. “I played a year at LBW and just felt like that was what I wanted to do.”

Johns Gibson inherits a Pleasant Home softball program that has a deep tradition with several appearances at the state tournament.

Last season was the first time in more than a decade PHS didn’t make it back to Lagoon Park in Montgomery.

Johns Gibson said she wants to keep the winning tradition alive at the small school she loves so much.

“Pleasant Home has a legacy when it comes to softball,” Johns Gibson said. “Obviously, we want to win. We’re going to go from winning the area tournament and go from there, and take it one step at a time.”

Johns Gibson is married to Andy Gibson, and is the daughter of Bobby and Susan Johns of Andalusia.