Johnson Named Director of High School Relations for Football

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry continues to bolster his recruiting efforts, announcing James Johnson as Director of High School Relations. Johnson returns to Blacksburg after serving as the Hokies' head men's basketball coach from 2012 to 2014.

"We are super excited to bring J.J. back to Blacksburg," said Pry. "As we have gotten to know each other, I couldn't be more impressed by his infectious personality, ability to connect with student-athletes and mature approach to college athletics. His knowledge of Virginia Tech combined with nearly three decades successfully recruiting Virginia, the Carolinas, D.C., Maryland & Pennsylvania will be invaluable in his new role. We can't wait for him to get started & begin making an impact in our program."

Johnson has deep roots across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, allowing him to cultivate and sustain lasting relationships within the Virginia Tech recruiting footprint. He brings nearly three decades of experience in college athletics, including more than 10 years in the ACC with coaching stops at Virginia Tech, Miami and North Carolina State, where he most recently worked under Kevin Keatts for five seasons. Throughout his career up and down the east coast, Johnson has made countless high school connections, and understands how crucial recruiting is to a successful program.

"J.J. has been in Blacksburg for a large part of his career and is connected to our staff," said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics, Whit Babcock. "He loves Virginia Tech and will be a great ambassador for our university. His relationships in our footprint and his rapport with Hokie Nation are what have led us to this opportunity. His vital connections with high schools will help us to attract the very best to play for the Hokies."

Prior to serving as head coach, Johnson spent the previous five seasons on the basketball staff at Tech. The Hokies had a record of 103-67 during his time as a Tech assistant.
 

Johnson spent two seasons with Jim Larrañaga at George Mason. The Patriots advanced to the 2006 NCAA Final Four before falling to eventual national champion Florida.

Johnson served as an assistant coach under Ed DeChellis at Penn State from 2003-2005, where he helped tutor two-time All-Big Ten honoree, Geary Claxton. Johnson was also the recruiting coordinator for the Nittany Lions during his time in State College.

A native of Powhatan, Virginia, Johnson was a four-year player and three-year starter at Ferrum College. A three-time conference defensive player of the year, he helped guide his team to two conference championships and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. In September of 2009, he was inducted into the Ferrum College Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
Johnson's Professional History