DURHAM, N.C. – Vashion Johnson will be returning to the North Carolina Central University softball program for the third time, this time as head coach, NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree announced on Wednesday.
“I am truly excited to welcome back Coach Johnson to NCCU,” said McCree. “He brings a wealth of experience, proven success and a deep understanding of Eagle Excellence. I am looking forward to working with Coach Johnson as we continue to provide the very best experiences for our student-athletes.”
“I’d like to thank the chancellor, the board of directors and the search committee for choosing me, Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree for giving me this opportunity, and the student-athletes that I was able to meet during the interview process.”
Johnson, who served as an assistant softball coach for NCCU on two occasions, returns to the Triangle after winning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) softball championship as an assistant coach at Florida A&M University in 2016. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Lady Eagles from 2014-15 and as a volunteer from 2000-01.
“It’s an honor and a blessing to be back at NCCU for the third time,” Johnson said. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead this program to the next level. I really love this program and there are no words to explain how excited I am to be back here at NCCU, a place where I’ve wanted to be a head coach for so many years.”
Johnson has eight years of NCAA head coaching experience in his tenure at Slippery Rock University from 2004-11. Under Johnson, The Rock broke over 42 school records and he is the program’s all-time wins leader with a 184-156 career record. Johnson guided SRU to the NCAA tournament in 2008 and had a total of five winning seasons.
After Slippery Rock, Johnson returned to NCCU and was part of the Eagles’ coaching staff that set the program’s Division I era record for wins with 18 in his last season. He then left to FAMU and won a MEAC title in his only year with the Rattlers.
In addition, the veteran coach of 17 years has been in collegiate dugouts at Presbyterian College (2013), Montreat College (2012) and North Carolina A&T State University (2002); as well as high school head coaching experience at Harvest Baptist High School and local Immaculata Catholic High School.
“I feel my prior stops have helped me fine tune and sharpen my sword as a coach,” stated Johnson. “I now know exactly what it takes to win the conference and lead a quality Division I program. This program is ready to go to the next level and to make the playoffs, and possibly contend for a regional berth. I think these young ladies are poised to breakout, especially on offense, and to take the conference by storm. It is going to be great to teach them and watch them work.”
Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American history and political science from Morris College in 2000, where he was a four-time All-Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference performer on the baseball team and broke the school record for career home runs. He went on to earn his MBA in international business in 2011 from Salem International University.
Johnson also served in the U.S. Marines and is a Desert Storm veteran. He received an honorable discharge from the Marines in 1996 after serving in ground support hydraulics for GSE and Cobras.
While in the U.S. Marines, Johnson received a Good Conduct medal, Rifle Sharpshooter badge, National Defense Service medal, Navy and Marine Overseas Service ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment ribbon, Humanitarian Service medal, Armed Forced Service medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal.
Johnson is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Black Coaches' Association. Johnson and his wife Natalie, who is an NCCU graduate, have three children.