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Langston hires football coach
2003-12-18
By Bob Colon
The Oklahoman
LANGSTON -- Greg Johnson, who coached football at Langston University six seasons in the 1990s, has been hired to coach the Lions again.
Johnson, 43, succeeds Harold Johnson, who coached Langston to back-to-back 2-8 seasons and was fired earlier this month.
Langston was 35-30 under Greg Johnson from 1991 to 1996. His 1993 team went 9-3 -- the first winning season in 20 years -- and the 1994 team was 10-3 and lost to eventual NAIA champion Northeastern State 3-0 in the semifinals.
Greg Johnson is a Watonga native and graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State. Since leaving Langston in early 1997, he coached at Prairie View, Middle Georgia College and Hearne (Texas) High School. Hemost recently was defensive coordinator at Jackson State.
Langston president Ernest Holloway said candidates who had applied two years ago were considered again, and Greg Johnson came from that group.
"I feel so good about this hiring," Holloway said. "I am more convinced now he is the right person. He has to hit the ground running. He left here in good standing and brings in even more experience now. We had contacts from all over the country and wanted to get this done before Christmas."
The new coach was introduced to players Wednesday afternoon.
"I met with the players, and they were very receptive," Johnson said. "I'm excited about the new stadium and going to NCAA Division II. We want to get things going again."
Langston has made application to the NCAA for Division II membership and to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, a Division II league based in Georgia. Anderson Field is undergoing a $10 million renovation.
It took Langston nearly three months to hire Harold Johnson after Ted Alexander was reassigned after the 2001 season. It took Langston less than two weeks to bring back Greg Johnson.
"I could have stayed at Jackson State for many years," Johnson said, "but this is better for my family. I had no idea where my career was taking me, but all my family is in Oklahoma."
2003-12-18
By Bob Colon
The Oklahoman
LANGSTON -- Greg Johnson, who coached football at Langston University six seasons in the 1990s, has been hired to coach the Lions again.
Johnson, 43, succeeds Harold Johnson, who coached Langston to back-to-back 2-8 seasons and was fired earlier this month.
Langston was 35-30 under Greg Johnson from 1991 to 1996. His 1993 team went 9-3 -- the first winning season in 20 years -- and the 1994 team was 10-3 and lost to eventual NAIA champion Northeastern State 3-0 in the semifinals.
Greg Johnson is a Watonga native and graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State. Since leaving Langston in early 1997, he coached at Prairie View, Middle Georgia College and Hearne (Texas) High School. Hemost recently was defensive coordinator at Jackson State.
Langston president Ernest Holloway said candidates who had applied two years ago were considered again, and Greg Johnson came from that group.
"I feel so good about this hiring," Holloway said. "I am more convinced now he is the right person. He has to hit the ground running. He left here in good standing and brings in even more experience now. We had contacts from all over the country and wanted to get this done before Christmas."
The new coach was introduced to players Wednesday afternoon.
"I met with the players, and they were very receptive," Johnson said. "I'm excited about the new stadium and going to NCAA Division II. We want to get things going again."
Langston has made application to the NCAA for Division II membership and to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, a Division II league based in Georgia. Anderson Field is undergoing a $10 million renovation.
It took Langston nearly three months to hire Harold Johnson after Ted Alexander was reassigned after the 2001 season. It took Langston less than two weeks to bring back Greg Johnson.
"I could have stayed at Jackson State for many years," Johnson said, "but this is better for my family. I had no idea where my career was taking me, but all my family is in Oklahoma."
