Dr. Gary Johnson begins his 21st season as the head coach for the Union women’s cross country team and 19th season for the men's cross country team. Johnson also served as the Union tennis coach from 1998-2003.
In 2018, Johnson led the women's cross country team to their third NCAA National Championships appearance. The women's team finished second in the South Region and placed third in the Gulf South Conference Championships. His men's team finished sixth in the Gulf South Conference.
In 2016, Johnson's women's cross country team won their second Gulf South Conference Championship in three years. His men's and women's team were both listed as winners of the USFCCCA NCAA Division II Cross Country Scholar Team Award, finishing with the highest GPA in all of Division II. The women's team finished with a 3.94 and the men's team finished with a 3.74 GPA.
In 2015, Johnson led the women's cross country team to their second appearance at the NCAA National Championships in as many years eligible. The women's team also finished third in both the GSC championship and DII All-South Region. He also led the women to a first place finish out of 20 teams at the Watson Ford Invitational at Mississippi College.
In 2014, Johnson led the women's cross country team to the Gulf South Conference Title in the first year of active membership in the GSC and NCAA DII. It was the first Gulf South Conference title in the history of Union athletics. His women's team also posted a third place finish in the NCAA DII South Region, earning a spot in the NCAA National Championships. He was named the GSC Coach of the Year.
In 2012 and 2013, Johnson's team's have finished strong in the Gulf South Conference, despite not being eligible for postseason play during the transition from NAIA to NCAA DII.
In 2011, the final season of NAIA play, Johnson earned the conference sweep for the eighth straight year as he led the Lady Bulldogs to their ninth straight TranSouth Title, while also leading the men to their eighth straight TranSouth Title. In his career, Johnson led his teams to two women's region titles and one men's region title before the NAIA eliminated region play. Johnson has also put seven of his teams in the NAIA National Championship, which include four automatic qualifications for the women and three for the men.
Johnson has been named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year twice (2014, 2016) in women's cross country. Johnson was named TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year in women’s cross country 11 times (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), men’s cross country 10 times (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), and men’s tennis four times (1999-2002). He has also earned NAIA Region XI Coach of the year three times in women's cross country (2004, 2006, 2007) and twice in men's cross country (2006, 2007).
Johnson has coached 20 individual national qualifiers. He also coached a NCAA Elite 89 Award winner (BethAnne Davis, 2014).
Originally from Tulsa, Okla., Johnson graduated from Union University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. While at Union, he was a four-year player on the nationally ranked men's tennis program. He completed his Master of Science degree at the University of Memphis in December of 1993 and his Doctor of Arts in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State in May of 2004.
Johnson is married to the former Holly Tignor of Jackson. The two are proud parents of their son, Miles Johnson, who was born on June 24, 2005. Johnson and his wife are active fitness runners and are members of Englewood Baptist Church.
