Jim Johnson (athletic director)
 Johnson speaking at a Pittsburg State Athletics banquet in 2016 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Executive Vice President for engagement and executive affairs |
| Team | Pittsburg State |
| Conference | MIAA |
| Biographical details | |
| Alma mater | Tarleton State University |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1993–1997 | Tarleton State (asst. AD) |
| 1997–2003 | NCAA (gov't liaison) |
| 2003–2005 | Central Missouri (assoc. AD) |
| 2005–2007 | Texas A&M–Commerce |
| 2007–2010 | MIAA (commissioner) |
| 2010–2026 | Pittsburg State (AD) |
| 2026-present | Pittsburg State (Executive VP for engagement and executive affairs) |
James R. Johnson is an American university sports administrator and a former NCAA Division II conference commissioner. Johnson is currently the athletic director for Pittsburg State University, an NCAA Division II sports program in Pittsburg, Kansas.[1] Previously, Johnson was the Commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
Career
Johnson graduated from Tarleton State University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and in 1990 with a Master of Arts in education.[2] After graduating from Tarleton State, Johnson became Tarleton State's men's athletic coordinator, a position he held for seven years.[3] In 1997, Johnson left Tarleton State to become a government liaison the National Collegiate Athletic Association, specifically the Division II level.[4] In 2003, he left the NCAA for the University of Central Missouri where he served as an associate athletics director, and in 2005, Johnson became the athletics director at Texas A&M University–Commerce.[5]
Later career
After serving two years at Texas A&M–Commerce, Johnson was selected as the third commissioner for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in 2010.[6] While serving as commissioner, Johnson helped expand the conference from 10 members to 14 members, with the additions entering the conference July 1, 2012.[7]
Pittsburg State
On July 30, Johnson was selected as the 10th Athletics Director for MIAA school, Pittsburg State University.[8] While at Pittsburg State, Johnson has served on the NCAA Division II Football Committee, as well as the NCAA Division II Championships Committee.[2] On January 30, 2026, Johnson was promoted to Executive Vice President for Engagement and Executive Affairs, focusing on implementing the college's new strategic plan, The Access Pitt State Initiative.[9]
References
- ^ "Pittsburg State University Athletics – Staff Directory". Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ a b "Pittsburg State Gorillas - Staff Directory". Pittstategorillas.com. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions Football Game Notes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Community welcomes new athletics director - Pittsburg State University". Pittstate.edu. July 29, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "A&M-Commerce selects Jim Johnson as athletic director - printed from North Texas e-News". Ntxe-news.com. June 10, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "AD Johnson resigns, named commisioner [sic] of MIAA". The East Texan. January 26, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "Lindenwood Accepts Invitation to Join MIAA". September 24, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Commissioner of MIAA lands PSU's AD job | Sports". joplinglobe.com. July 29, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "Jim Johnson chosen for new executive position at Pitt State". www.pittstate.edu. Retrieved March 2, 2026.