Tyler Johnson
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville Tech has named Tyler Johnson as the program’s assistant athletic director for compliance.
Johnson said FTCC Athletics’ passion for helping student-athletes was a major draw for him.
“I want to thank (athletic director Dr. Shannon) Yates and the hiring committee at Fayetteville Tech for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a supportive athletic program,” Johnson said. “I can tell how much the staff wants to win and how badly they want to help the student-athletes achieve their goals.”
The 23-year-old Illinois native will start at FTCC on Jan. 1 after serving a year and a half at Western Illinois University as a graduate assistant. Johnson worked primarily in the compliance department with a focus on athlete eligibility and helped with athletes’ academic progress reports.
The move will serve as a return to North Carolina for Johnson, who wrestled for N.C. State from 2015-19. He helped the Wolfpack win two team ACC Championships and a fourth-place team finish at the 2018 NCAA tournament.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management from N.C. State and will complete his master’s in sports management from Western Illinois this month.
“I got into athletic administration because my college coaches and administrators were great mentors to me,” Johnson said. “They made me want to give back and mentor other student-athletes and make an impact the way they did for me.”
FTCC athletic director Dr. Shannon M. Yates said Johnson’s experience as a collegiate athlete and his work in compliance make him an ideal asset to the Trojan program.
“Tyler has received valuable experience in compliance and athletics administration during his time at Western Illinois University,” Yates said. “Tyler also understands the hard work it takes to be successful as a student and as an athlete. His time at N.C. State University as a member of an outstanding wrestling program has taught him how to be a champion in the classroom and in competition. I look forward to working with Tyler as we are taking steps to build a championship culture within Trojan athletics.”
In addition to his title as assistant athletic director of compliance, Johnson will also be designated as a success coach, a position focused on helping student-athletes succeed in the classroom.
Johnson, who was a scholar-athlete at N.C. State, said the additional role provides another opportunity to help student-athletes.
“I was excited to see that because there’s more to life than just sports,” Johnson said.
Johnson will arrive at Fayetteville Tech just ahead of the start of the spring sports season. FTCC will participate in court volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball, which were postponed from their typical fall and winter seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as baseball and softball.
“I’m excited to get to get to the campus and hit the ground running,” Johnson said. “I can’t wait to build relationships with the staff and the athletes. It’s going to be a fun journey, and I’m ready to help in any way I can.”