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BYNG — Even though Jaylen Johnson grew up in another part of the state, he was no stranger to the rich tradition of Byng High School basketball.
The girls and boys programs have combined to win 17 state championships, and Johnson is thrilled to become part of that tradition as the new head coach of the Pirates.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Byng basketball program,” Johnson told The Ada News. “I don’t think you can talk about Oklahoma basketball without talking about the history of Byng — the energy, the culture and that competitive spirit.”
Johnson takes over a Byng boys squad that advanced to the Class 4A Regional Tournament before suffering a pair of close losses to No. 7 Blanchard, 67-60 on its home court, and Tecumseh, 73-69.
The Pirates won the Konawa Tournament with back-to-back victories over ranked teams Wilson-Henryetta and Wewoka and finished as runners-up at the Latta Tournament.
However, Byng graduated seven seniors from that squad and will search for new leadership. Johnson said he will lean on this year’s senior class to help fill that role.
“This upcoming 2026-27 season will be different. We’ll have a completely new starting five,” he said. “This group has a lot of potential, with five seniors returning. We’ll lack a little experience, but I think if we can build chemistry together and have a high work ethic, anything is possible.”
Johnson graduated from Anadarko High School in 2015 and served as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2019-22. He accepted his first head coaching job at Davenport High School, where he spent two seasons before spending the last two years at Hobart High School.
“I grew up in a basketball community and I’ll bring that same passion for the game to Byng. It’s all I know. It’s very similar to what I grew up around,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he and his wife, Bailey, have already been welcomed with open arms by the Byng community.
“I have a ton of respect for the people of Byng. It’s a great community. Byng has already made us feel at home,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and working with our administration and staff. It just felt like this opportunity was meant to be for us.”
Johnson has taken his Pirate squad to summer camps at East Central University, Latta and Washington as he continues installing his system and building relationships.
“This summer has been busy for Byng basketball. It’s been really good,” he said. “Sometimes, as a new coach, it’s hard when you have a new team and a new system. This group is very coachable, though, and they make it really easy as a coach.”
Johnson said he is looking forward to the challenge of competing in rugged Class 4A this winter.
“Class 4A is one of the toughest classes in the state. I’m excited to compete and see what we can do,” he said. “We have a goal, and we know where we want to be, but it won’t be easy.”
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The girls and boys programs have combined to win 17 state championships, and Johnson is thrilled to become part of that tradition as the new head coach of the Pirates.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Byng basketball program,” Johnson told The Ada News. “I don’t think you can talk about Oklahoma basketball without talking about the history of Byng — the energy, the culture and that competitive spirit.”
Johnson takes over a Byng boys squad that advanced to the Class 4A Regional Tournament before suffering a pair of close losses to No. 7 Blanchard, 67-60 on its home court, and Tecumseh, 73-69.
The Pirates won the Konawa Tournament with back-to-back victories over ranked teams Wilson-Henryetta and Wewoka and finished as runners-up at the Latta Tournament.
However, Byng graduated seven seniors from that squad and will search for new leadership. Johnson said he will lean on this year’s senior class to help fill that role.
“This upcoming 2026-27 season will be different. We’ll have a completely new starting five,” he said. “This group has a lot of potential, with five seniors returning. We’ll lack a little experience, but I think if we can build chemistry together and have a high work ethic, anything is possible.”
Johnson graduated from Anadarko High School in 2015 and served as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2019-22. He accepted his first head coaching job at Davenport High School, where he spent two seasons before spending the last two years at Hobart High School.
“I grew up in a basketball community and I’ll bring that same passion for the game to Byng. It’s all I know. It’s very similar to what I grew up around,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he and his wife, Bailey, have already been welcomed with open arms by the Byng community.
“I have a ton of respect for the people of Byng. It’s a great community. Byng has already made us feel at home,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and working with our administration and staff. It just felt like this opportunity was meant to be for us.”
Johnson has taken his Pirate squad to summer camps at East Central University, Latta and Washington as he continues installing his system and building relationships.
“This summer has been busy for Byng basketball. It’s been really good,” he said. “Sometimes, as a new coach, it’s hard when you have a new team and a new system. This group is very coachable, though, and they make it really easy as a coach.”
Johnson said he is looking forward to the challenge of competing in rugged Class 4A this winter.
“Class 4A is one of the toughest classes in the state. I’m excited to compete and see what we can do,” he said. “We have a goal, and we know where we want to be, but it won’t be easy.”
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