UNCP Athletics

Having already turned in six of the finest seasons in the history of the wrestling program at UNC Pembroke, including a 2017-18 campaign that led to the program’s first conference title in 34 years, Othello “O.T.” Johnson heads into his 14th season at the helm of the UNCP wrestling program in 2024-25, as well as his 19th on the coaching staff of the Braves. Johnson served as an assistant coach for five seasons prior to being named the program’s sixth head coach on Aug. 9, 2011.

A long standing tradition of success continued during the 2023-24 season as the Braves sent six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. The Black & Gold would finish in a tie for tenth as a team, its highest finish since the 2011-12 season. Scott Joll placed third at 174 pounds, while Keegan Roberson took sixth at 157 pounds, both earning All-American honors. Joll would go on to earn the D2 Most Dominant Wrestler Award, Most Falls Award, Gregorian Award. Joll would also become the first non-D1 wrestler since 2005 to earn the prestigious Schalles Award, awarded annually to the best collegiate-wrestler pinner. During the 2022-23 season when UNCP sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. During the 2021-22 season, the Black & Gold sent six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. Nick Daggett placed sixth to earn All-American honors. A successful season in 2020-21, Johnson's squad sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championship. Nick Daggett captured a runner-up finish and earned all-American status. The team also had three regional champions during the 2020-21 season. Jonhson's team turned in impressive season in 2019-20 after claiming the Mountain East Conference Championship in West Liberty, West Virginia. The Braves also played host to the NCAA Regional event where UNCP captured the title. The Black & Gold had another impressive season in 2018-19 placing 21st at the NCAA Division II National Championship in Cleveland, Ohio. The finish was highlighted by senior Rodney Shepard's runner-up finish at the 165-pound weight class. The finish earned Shepard All-American status. The Braves sent the most participants to the big dance to date with entries at 125-pounds (Nick Daggett), 133-pounds (Ronnie Pietro), 141-pounds (Jonathan Miller), 149-pounds (Kaleb Warner), 157-pounds (Tyler Makosy), 174-pounds (Faris Teia), and 184-pounds (Brandon Sloop).
 
The Braves turned in their seventh-straight top 25 finish under Johnson in 2017-18 after finishing 15th at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The finish was spearheaded by junior Rodney Shepard’s fifth-place showing in the 165-pound division, as well as eighth-place finishes by both Nick Daggett (125 pounds) and Eric Milks (157). A total of 22 wrestlers have qualified for the NCAA Championships with Johnson at the helm of the program, with the Braves capturing three national championships and a pair of runner-up showings over that span as well. The team finished in a tie for eighth place at nationals to cap the 2011-12 season – Johnson’s first as head coach.
 
The accolades for the Braves have come in bunches at the region and conference levels as well. A program-best six wrestlers earned all-conference laurels following UNCP’s run to the 2017-18 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) title and pushed UNCP’s all-conference honors total to 12 in its three-season stay in the ECAC. Former all-American Blaze Shade took home the ECAC’s coveted wrestler of the year title following the 2015-16 campaign, while Daggett claimed ECAC Rookie of the Year accolades in 2018-19.
 
Johnson’s student-athletes have plenty to brag about outside of the competitive arena as well. Over the last eight seasons, UNCP has had 26 wrestlers earn spots on the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team, while 70 have been lauded with honor roll recognition from the Peach Belt Conference. Shane Nolan earned a spot on the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) Academic All-America team following the 2011-12 campaign – widely considered to be the most prestigious academic honor that can be bestowed upon a student-athlete.
 
Johnson brought his expertise to the coaching world as an assistant coach for the UNCP wrestling team in 2006, playing an integral role in leading the Braves to five-straight top-30 appearances. As an assistant coach, he mentored seven NCAA all-Americans and eight student-athletes to NWCA All-Academic Team accolades. In addition, 16 student-athletes made appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championships during that stint.
 
During that same time frame, UNCP churned out a 51-40 dual meet clip, while also registering a slew of impressive finishes at distinguished tournaments, most notably a third-place honor at the Midwest Classic in 2010 and a sixth-place finish at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in 2011. UNCP also posted its then-best finish (T-17th) at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championships after being ranked No. 11 in the final regular season national poll.
 
He has also served a previous stint as a student assistant coach with the UNC Greensboro wrestling team, as well as undertaking adjunct teaching positions at both Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst and at Robeson Community College in Lumberton. He also serves as a camp instructor for the annual Ken Chertow Wrestling Camps. He is certified in both Red Cross CPR and First Aid and has attended each of the last three National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) conventions.
 
Johnson began his athletic and academic career at Colby (Kan.) Community College in 2001, twice (2002, 2003) capturing all-American accolades from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). As a freshman, he turned in a seventh place finish at the NJCAA National Championships and highlighted Colby’s runner-up finish at the 2003 event with a sixth place finish. The Trojans finished just 4-1/2 points for the national team title at the 2003 NJCAA National Championships. He also captured all-academic honors from the NJCAA as a sophomore as well.
 
After earning his associates of arts degree from Colby Community College in 2003, he moved on to UNC Greensboro where he was a two-time starter for the Spartans during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 campaigns. As a junior, he helped lead UNCG to a third place finish at the Southern Conference Tournament, and then took home sixth place laurels at the Southern Scuffle during his senior season.
 
Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from UNCP in 2007, and then earned his master’s degree in physical education from UNCP in 2010. He and his wife, Ivy, a former UNCP basketball and track & field/cross country standout, have two daughters, Norah and Ruby.