Richard Johnson was named head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Rhode Island by Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn on Feb. 2, 2012.

“We are thrilled to have Richard Johnson join the Rhody Athletics Family," said Bjorn.  "Strength and conditioning a is a critical component to a student-athlete's success and Richard's experience and passion are just what we need as we transition into our new weight room as part of the Student-Athlete Development Center project.”

Johnson came to URI after spending the previous 10 months at the University of Maine, serving as assistant strength & conditioning coach.  In that role, Johnson designed and implemented programs for the Black Bears' baseball, softball, women's soccer, and track & field teams, while working closely with the football and men's and women's basketball teams through their daily workouts.

He is a 1999 graduate of Norfolk State, earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science.  Johnson spent two seasons - from August, 2009-March, 2011 - as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Springfield College, pursuing his master's degree in exercise science and sports studies.

Johnson also served as an intern on the strength and conditioning staffs at Auburn during the summer of 2010, at Georgia Tech from 2008-09, and Georgia State from 2007-08.

He holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and USA Weightlifting (USAW) as a Sports Performance Coach.  Johnson is a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA), NSCA, and the USAW.