VIDEO: Johnny Long Press Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Director of Athletics Allen Morgan introduced Director of Sports Performance to the Carson-Newman campus community and the media at a news conference Tuesday morning in the Eagle Club Room at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
"This is another great day to be a Carson-Newman Eagle," Morgan said. "Our vision is to be the premiere Christian institution in the Southeast. Today we take another step forward toward attaining our vision. That's because I'm so pleased to introduce our new Director of Sports Performance Johnny Long."
Long formerly was with the University of Tennessee as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Long will oversee all 19 of Carson-Newman's varsity sports. He will design weight programs for all sports to fit those individual sport and player needs. He'll teach proper technique for those student athletes, as well as worth toward injury prevention, health and wellness, as well as nutrition.
"The vision is to help all sports and help us as an athletic department get to the next level," Long said. "We want to make sure that we get to that level the right way. I was very blessed to help build championships and champions while at Tennessee. I can't wait to work with the athletes them to take them to the same places of performance."
Long is a former Olympic-caliber weightlifter who began his career 32 years ago under legendary Hall of Fame Strength Coach Gayle Hatch. Long is part of the Gayle Hatch Weightlifting Team that has won more than fifty men's Junior, Senior, and Masters National Championships.
"I've answered the question 'Why Carson-Newman?' a thousand times over the last 24 hours," Long said with a chuckle. "It's the people here. From the coaching staff to the administration, the people are first class all the way. I've been around many different schools over the years. The coaching staffs and people here have blown me away, and for that reason, I'm very blessed to be here now."
After a brief stint, at Louisiana State University, Long shifted his coaching career to the University of Tennessee as a Graduate Assistant for the strength and conditioning staff in 1994. After completion of his Master's Degree, he quickly advanced to the position of Assistant Strength Coach. He was named Associate Head Coach in 1998 before taking over as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the University of Tennessee. He now holds the title of "Collegiate Mentor" and Master Strength Coach which is the Highest Honor for strength and conditioning coaches across the country.
In January 2004 and 2005, Long served as Head Strength Coach for the Las Vegas All-American Classic All Star Game. He is credited by former head coach Phillip Fulmer with making physical fitness a basic component of the UT football program.
Long's career over the past 14 years has made him one of the nation's top strength and conditioning coaches when it comes to preparing athletes for competition. Long has directed one of the nation's largest strength and conditioning clinics with more than 1,000 coaches and athletes.
He worked with many decorated athletes during his career at Tennessee. This list includes 308 All-Americans, 159 pro athletes, 115 All-SEC Athletes and 45 Olympians.
Long is certified by the College Strength and Condition Coaches Association. He will continue to own and operate Johnny Long's Training Academy in Knoxville.