Alcorn State tabs Brian Johnson as new track & field head coach

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State University adds an Olympian and NCAA champion to head their track and field program.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Derek Horne announced the selection of Brian Johnson as the new leader of the Brave's track and field program.

"We are very excited to have Brian join our staff. He is a great recruiter and is a seasoned coach. We look forward to him coming on board and making a positive impact on our track program," said Horne.

Johnson comes to Alcorn State after spending a year on the University Georgia Bulldogs' staff as an assistant coach. Prior to his stint at Georgia, he led the track & field program at Southern University.

A native of Iowa, Louisiana, Johnson led Southern's track and field program from August 2010 to 2014, was an assistant at the school starting in 2003 and a Southern graduate. He coached both the men's and women's Jaguar teams to second-place finishes at the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships. Johnson also was instrumental in the success of Devin Jenkins, who was a standout runner at Southern. Johnson helped Jenkins capture the 60-meter dash, 100-meter and 200-meter titles at the 2014 SWAC conference meet.

Johnson had an exceptional career at Southern before joining the institution's coaching ranks. He finished third in the long jump at the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships and was also fifth in the 100-meter (10.46) at the 2002 outdoor nationals, which were in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Then in 2003, Johnson traveled 27 feet, and 2 inches to claim the NCAA indoor championship in the long jump. Soon after his national title, Johnson graduated with a bachelor's degree.

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