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• Published: Jul 31, 2010 - Page: 5C

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Southern University announced Friday former two-sport athlete and 2008 United States Olympian, Brian Johnson, has been named interim head track and field coach.

“With our cross country student-athletes reporting next week, we needed to have someone in place as soon as possible”, SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said in a university news release.

Johnson qualified for his first Olympics with a runner-up finish at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he posted his best jump of the year.

His 2007 season was highlighted by wins at Baton Rouge and Rethymno, where he had his best mark of the season of 27 feet, 3 1/4 inches. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the long jump in the United States, and ninth in the world.

Johnson enjoyed a banner season in 2006, highlighted by victories at the AT&T USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, and ending the season ranked No. 3 in the U.S. by Track & Field News.

Three years after suffering a devastating knee injury, the former Southern  All-American became a world class long jumper when he captured the 2005 USA Indoor title. Later that summer,

Johnson placed third at the USA Outdoor Championships with a leap of 26-6‰.

Johnson was the 2003 NCAA Indoor champion with a jump of 27-2.

Johnson takes over after the resignation of interim head track coach Tinnequo Lightfoot-Ross.

Ross completed her 10th year at Southern and her first as interim head track and field coach. She took over the program after the long illness  and death of longtime coach Johnny Thomas. She previously served as an assistant coach for eight years.