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EAST GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III announced the hiring of three-time Olympian and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Allen Johnson as the Aggies new director of track and field programs on Friday.
On Friday, Hilton introduced Johnson to the Board of Trustees and track and field student-athletes. Johnson has signed a four-year contract to guide the Aggies' six track and field programs -- men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field and men's and women's outdoor track and field.
"Allen has paid his dues and has earned the opportunity to head an elite track and field program with a rich history like the one at North Carolina A&T," said Hilton. "When looking for the person who can keep A&T track and field moving forward academically and as a top-10 program nationally with aspirations of winning national championships, it became apparent that coach Johnson was that individual. When alumni, parents and prospective student-athletes meet coach Johnson, they will be impressed with him as a man of character and integrity as well as an outstanding track and field coach. He will make the program about the student-athletes, and I like that."
Johnson, a Washington, D.C., native, comes to AggieLand after serving six seasons as an assistant coach for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, where he coached sprinters and hurdlers. During his time with the Pack, he also served as Team USA's sprints and hurdles coach for the World Championships in Eugene, Ore., in 2022.
While with The Pack, he coached a 2020 USA Olympic team member and two professional Indoor World Championship USA team members. Johnson's sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams broke nine school records between indoor and outdoor during his time there, and the 4x100-meter relay team won three straight ACC championships from 2016-2018.
"I'm honored to have this opportunity to join the North Carolina A&T family, and I look forward to saying 'Aggie Pride!' many times,"' said Johnson. "I want to thank Chancellor (Harold) Martin and Mr. Hilton for putting tremendous faith in me and my ability to lead this program.
I also want to thank Duane Ross for his support. I'm really looking forward to this next chapter and continuing the success of North Carolina A&T track and field."
Johnson also spent time at the University of Kentucky (2014-16), where he helped the Wildcat women finish second nationally during the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
During Johnson's stay, Kentucky totaled five top-25 finishes between indoor and outdoor track and field. Individually, he guided Nick Anderson to a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2016 NCAA outdoor championships as Anderson went on to compete at USATF Olympic Team Trials. Before Kentucky, Johnson was an assistant at Air Force.
Before starting his coaching career, Johnson had a spectacular professional track and field career. In addition to his Olympic gold in the 110h in 1996, Johnson earned gold medals in the hurdles at seven IAAF World Championship meets. He finished first in the 110h at the outdoor world championships in 1995 (Gothenburg), 1997 (Athens), 2001 (Edmonton) and 2003 (Paris), while placing first in the 60h at the indoor world championships in 1995 (Barcelona), 2003 (Birmingham) and 2004 (Budapest).
Johnson finished second in the 60h at the 2008 indoor championships in Valencia, Spain, third at the 110h at the 2005 championships in Helinski, Finland and fourth in the 110h at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Johnson was ranked as the top 110 hurdler in the world for four years by Track & Field News and had many more accomplishments.
Johnson is a graduate of the University of North Carolina. As a collegiate athlete, Johnson won the 1992 NCAA championship in the 55h with a meet-record time of 7.07.
~ncataggies.com