Peace Announces New Athletic Director and Basketball Coach

June 25 - Peace College has named Kelly Johnson as director of athletics and head basketball coach at Peace College. A native of Kinston, N.C., Johnson brings 20 years of coaching experience and 18 years experience as an athletic director.

“Kelly’s extensive experience enables him to continue moving the Peace athletics program forward, especially during our formative years as the newest member of the USA South Athletic Conference,” said President Laura Bingham. “His commitment to leadership, teamwork and campus pride will enhance our sports program and campus support of athletics.”

 
Johnson comes to Peace after serving as athletic director and varsity boys’ basketball coach at Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, N.C. His teams won three consecutive regular season championships and three consecutive conference tournament championships. Johnson also was named coach of the year four times.

Johnson and his wife, Debbie, established the East Carolina Storm, a North Carolina AAU girls basketball program, where he’s coached since 1993. Under the Johnsons’ leadership, the East Carolina Storm won the 1995 AAU State Championships for girls age 14 and under. The Storm reached the AAU Nationals in 1995, 1997 and 1998.

“I feel Peace offers the student athlete a great education and an outstanding athletic experience,” Johnson said. “With the support shown by the administration and the caliber of athletes that the program is attracting, I feel we can become one of the top women’s programs in the USA South Athletic Conference.