MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former Morgantown High School football coach John Bowers is returning to the Mohigans’ athletics program as the school’s new Athletics Director.
The Monongalia County Board of Education approved Bowers’ appointment on Tuesday night as assistant principal in charge of athletics. Bowers spent 12 seasons as the Mohigans’ head coach, leading Morgantown to a 129-36 record between 2004 and 2015. His tenure as head coach included back-to-back perfect seasons and state titles in 2004 and 2005.
“Stepping away for a year and coming back as an assistant principal in charge of athletics. It’s really humbling and amazing to think about it,” Bowers told WAJR News. “When that type of opportunity comes to fruition you absolutely have to act on it.”
Bowers stepped down as the Mohigans’ head coach following the 2015 season when he accepted an opportunity to become an assistant principal at South Middle School in Monongalia County. Bowers also previously served as a special education teacher prior to leaving the classroom for an administrative role.
“As a ball coach, you’re so emotionally tied. Your personal health rises and falls with every victory or loss. It got to the point that some sophomore lineman skipped weight lifting or kids weren’t lifting weights and you lose sleep over those things because you want to drive and you want to push,” explained Bowers.
In his new role Bowers will have the chance to once again be involved in the Mohigans’ athletic program without having the rigors that go along with being the head coach of a championship caliber program.
“You’re not as emotionally tied to the wins and losses but you’re certainly invested in the outcome, there’s no doubt.”