LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock head track and field coach
J.P. Behnke has announced the hiring of
Charles Johnson as an assistant coach. Johnson will take over the responsibility for the Trojans' throwers, serving as the program's first full-time throws coach.
"I am excited to announce Coach Johnson as the first ever full-time throws coach with the Trojan track and field program," Behnke said. "He brings a strong passion for the sport of track and field and has a proven record of recruiting and developing athletes in all four throwing events."
Johnson comes to Little Rock after spending the last two seasons at Newberry College where he served in a variety roles, ultimately earning the title of associate head coach. During his time in South Carolina, Johnson helped lead a resurgence of the Wolves' program as 25 men's school records were broken during the indoor and outdoor seasons, with 18 program marks falling on the women's side.
Prior to his time at Newberry, Johnson spent two seasons at Nova Southeastern and helped guide the Sharks to a number of program-bests. His athletes set program records in the hammer throw, discus, shot put, javelin, heptathlon and decathlon as Nova Southeastern finished second at the Peach Belt Conference Championships both seasons. Additionally, Johnson helped mentor six conference champions with 14 All-South Region honorees and an Academic All-American.
Johnson's coaching career began at the high school level, working at Miami Coral Park High School for five years and mentoring a number of student-athletes who qualified for the FHSAA state championships each season, including a state champion in 2013.
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Johnson competed in the throws at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, qualifying for the Big East Championships as a freshman. He held the school record in the hammer throw for six years, and currently ranks fifth all-time for the Hurricanes, while also ranking in the top-10 in program history in the discus.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Miami in 2007, followed by his master's degree in athletic administration from Nova Southeastern in 2017. He holds a USATF Level 2 certification in both the throws and multi events while holding a Level 1 certification as an assistant coach.
The addition of Johnson adds to Behnke's growing staff, which already includes
Rosina Amenebede overseeing the Trojans' hurdles with All-American
Derek Jacobus working with Little Rock's multi athletes. The staff will continue to grow, both in terms of student-athletes and coaching staff, as Behnke continues to compile his rosters for 2019-20.
#LittleRocksTeam
