The 2025 season marked the Rams' best regular season in program history, finishing with a 28-20 record and narrowly missing the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament semifinals. This success was fueled by one of Johnson's deepest pitching staffs, highlighted by All-AAC honoree Drake Thames.
Johnson led the Rams to their second NCCAA National Championship Tournament appearance in 2024, following a challenging NCCAA South Region Championship win. The pinnacle of his coaching career at CIU came in 2021 when he guided the Rams to a remarkable 38-26 overall record and an undefeated 9-0 run in the NCCAA postseason, culminating in the NCCAA World Series title. That same year, CIU defeated then-NAIA No. 1 ranked Tennessee Wesleyan twice and Johnson was recognized with both NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year and NCCAA National Coach of the Year honors. His players also garnered numerous accolades, including multiple All-Region and All-American selections, and two individual player of the year awards.
Even in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 inaugural season, Johnson's team showcased their potential by upsetting No. 16 Webber International and securing wins against other strong NAIA and NCAA Division II programs. Throughout his tenure, Johnson's teams have consistently challenged top-ranked opponents, including victories over No. 8 Keiser and No. 6 Faulkner in 2022. He currently holds a 142-157 record at CIU.
Before his collegiate coaching career, Johnson enjoyed a ten-year professional baseball career, spending six seasons with four Major League Baseball teams, including the Texas Rangers (who drafted him seventh overall in 1995), Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and the Atlanta Braves system.
Johnson's collegiate playing days at Florida State University were equally illustrious. He was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, a Freshman All-American, a two-time Baseball America All-American, and a two-time All-ACC selection. He also earned the 1995 ACC Tournament MVP and Florida's 1995 Amateur Player of the Year honors, and represented the United States on Team USA in 1994. In recognition of his outstanding career, Johnson was inducted into the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Beyond CIU, Johnson has extensive coaching experience in the Columbia area, including five years with the Lexington County Blowfish of the Coastal Plain League and stints at Dutch Fork High School and Ben Lippen High School. He has helped 33 players get drafted into Major League Baseball.
Johnson's dedication extends beyond the baseball field through Honoring the Father Ministries, a baseball ministry he started in 1996 that uses the sport to share Christ and reaches thousands in Cuba annually. He resides in Chapin, S.C., with his wife, Kristin, and their two sons and daughter.
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