FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. â Fort Hays State University Athletics announced Justin Johnson as the next head coach of its cross country and track and field programs on Saturday (June 6). He will begin his position in mid-June. Johnson comes to Hays from Biola University in California, where he was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator of the track and field program.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Tiger family at Fort Hays State University. I can't wait to get to work alongside our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire FHSU community," said Johnson. "The MIAA is one of the most competitive conferences in NCAA Division II, and that excites me. I want our program to be a factor at the conference and national level, year in and year out. Cross Country and Track & Field is more than times and marks, it's about developing people of character who compete with purpose. I'm proud of what we built at Biola, and I'm deeply motivated to bring that same energy and commitment to Hays. I can't wait to meet our student-athletes and start building something special together, working alongside our coaches, administration, and the entire FHSU community."
Johnson spent four years at Biola, a member of NCAA Division II, his first two as lead assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in 2025. Most recently following the 2026 outdoor season, Johnson was named the USTFCCCA West Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. He coached Biola's sprint/hurdle/relay group to 54 of the team's 195 points to win the program's first-ever team title at the PacWest Outdoor Championships in 2026.
Eboselulu Omofoma, who scored all of Biola's points for the women's squad in both 2025 and 2026 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, earned four All-America honors in hurdles and triple jump combined under Johnson's guidance. On the men's side, he coached Joshua Widdows to All-America status and a national runner-up finish in the 400-meter hurdles in 2026, and Stephen Jungmichel to All-America honors in 2023 in the decathlon. A total of 30 school records were broken at Biola within Johnson's four years with the program.
"We are excited to welcome Justin Johnson to Fort Hays State University as our next Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach. His positive energy, passion for student-athlete development, and proven ability to recruit and develop talented student-athletes make him an outstanding addition to the Tiger Family," said FHSU Director of Athletics Dr. Lisa Goddard McGuirk. "Coach Johnson has demonstrated success in building competitive programs while fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence. Equally important, he is committed to providing a first-class student-athlete experience that supports the holistic development of every student-athlete. We are confident that his leadership will continue to elevate our programs."
Prior to his time at Biola, Johnson served as the head track & field and cross country coach at Westcliff University, an NAIA affiliate in California. He has also spent time as a camp director for the Nike Track and Field Summer Camp held at Boise State University in Idaho, as well as serving as a track and field and cross country coach at the high school level in both California and Texas. He also helped coach hurdles for the Carl Lewis-Athletic Stars Track Club in Texas.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of HoustonâDowntown in 2012 and received his master's degree in sports administration from the University of Mary HardinâBaylor in 2019.