Former Virginia Tech head men's basketball coach James Johnson has joined the Hokie football staff as director of high school relations, the program announced Tuesday.
"We are super excited to bring J.J. back to Blacksburg," said head coach Brent Pry. "As we have gotten to know each other, I couldn't be more impressed by his infectious personality, ability to connect with student-athletes and mature approach to college athletics. His knowledge of Virginia Tech combined with nearly three decades successfully recruiting Virginia, the Carolinas, D.C., Maryland & Pennsylvania will be invaluable in his new role. We can't wait for him to get started & begin making an impact in our program."
Johnson spent 2012-14, two seasons, as Virginia Tech's basketball coach, going 22-41. He was an assistant coach at Tech for five seasons before that.
Johnson then moved into a basketball operations position at Miami in 2015, and served as an assistant basketball coach at NC State from 2017-22.
Virginia Tech emphasized Johnson's connections up and down the Eastern seaboard as well as his love for all things Hokies in announcing the hire.
"J.J. has been in Blacksburg for a large part of his career and is connected to our staff," said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics, Whit Babcock. "He loves Virginia Tech and will be a great ambassador for our university. His relationships in our footprint and his rapport with Hokie Nation are what have led us to this opportunity. His vital connections with high schools will help us to attract the very best to play for the Hokies."
Virginia Tech opens Pry's second season as head coach Sept. 2 against Old Dominion at Lane Stadium. The Hokies went 3-8 in 2022.
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