FERRUM, VA, May 12, 2026 — Director of Athletics Cleive Adams has announced the hiring of James Johnson ’93 as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Ferrum College. Johnson returns to Ferrum after spending the past three years on the Virginia Tech athletic staff as Director of High School Relations for Football.
A 1993 Ferrum College graduate, Johnson played four years for the Panthers under Coach Bill Pullen. He helped lead the program to Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and to Ferrum’s only NCAA Tournament appearance in 1992. He also contributed to Dixie Conference regular-season titles in 1993 and 1995. After graduating in May 1993, Johnson remained at Ferrum for two seasons as an assistant coach under Pullen.
Johnson brings decades of collegiate coaching experience back to Ferrum. During his career, he spent seven years on the basketball staff at Virginia Tech, including two seasons as head coach from 2012–14. Most recently, he served the university in a leadership role with Hokies football. His coaching résumé also includes stops at Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Elon University, College of Charleston, Penn State University, George Mason University, University of Miami, and NC State University. Johnson was also a member of the George Mason coaching staff during the Patriots’ memorable run to the NCAA Final Four in 2006 under Head Coach Jim Larrañaga.
“For all of us at Ferrum College, this is more than a coaching announcement; it is a homecoming,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin, who highlighted Johnson’s three decades of experience at the highest level of collegiate basketball, including developing NBA talent, coaching ACC Players of the Year, recruiting elite student-athletes, and building winning programs grounded in discipline, accountability, and excellence.
“Coach Johnson has built a reputation as a mentor, a relationship builder, and, most importantly, a man of strength and character,” continued Martin, noting that Johnson’s former players consistently say he made them better players and better men. “That deeply, deeply matters to Ferrum College. His philosophy reflects the very heart of who we are as an institution; our motto of ‘Not Self, But Others’ calls us to lead through service, humility, and investment in the lives of others. Coach Johnson embodies that spirit. After achieving success on some of the biggest stages of college basketball, he has chosen to return home and give back to the institution that helped shape him.”
Former teammate and current Ferrum College Board of Trustees Second Vice Chair Everett Foxx ’92 spoke about his time competing with Johnson as student-athletes. “I’ve seen firsthand the leadership, competitiveness, discipline, and character that he brings to the team. Even then, he carried himself with the qualities of someone destined to lead. As we continue our transition into Division II competition, this institution is embracing a new era of growth, visibility, and opportunity. With a transition like this, leadership matters,” said Foxx. “Beyond his resume, he understands Ferrum. He understands the culture, the pride, the work ethic, and the responsibility that comes with leading young men, both on and off the court.”
“Ferrum’s Men’s Basketball has a deep, meaningful history, dating back to the early foundation of the program,” said Athletic Director Cleive Adams ’02, who highlighted the coaches who shaped the program over the years. “Today, that proud coaching tree and tradition comes full circle, as we welcome home Coach James Johnson.”
Following the introduction, Johnson took the podium and spoke about being the first in his family to attend college and the opportunities Ferrum College offered him. After graduation, then-Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Pullen gave Johnson his first coaching job. “This is where I learned how to coach,” said Johnson.
After expressing his gratitude to those who supported him as a student-athlete and throughout his coaching career, Johnson addressed the players watching the live stream and those present. “I am honored to be your head coach. This is not just a head-coaching position or a coaching position for me. This is home for me. I look forward to working with you guys on and off the floor. We’re going to represent ourselves in a first-class manner. Get ready to be the hardest-playing team and the toughest team in the country.”
Johnson replaces Patrick Corrigan, who recently left Ferrum after four seasons to become Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of West Florida.
