Johnny Long is Carson-Newman's first ever Director of Sports Performance, where he is in his second year with the university.
Coach Long oversees all 19 of Carson-Newman's varsity sports as well as the administration and nutritional aspects.
Long is a former Olympic-caliber weightlifter who began his career 42 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.
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.
In January 2004 and 2005, Long served as Head Strength Coach for the Las Vegas All-American Classic All Star Game.
Coach Long has worked with many decorated athletes during his career at Tennessee and Carson Newman. This list includes 300+ All-Americans, 150 pro athletes, 100+ All-SEC/ALL-SAC Athletes and 50+ Olympians.
He continues to own and operate Johnny Long's Training Academy in Knoxville. Johnny Long's Training Academy currently has over 1000 athletes training each week. Long develop the Club Sport atmosphere where he has over 250 soccer players, 600 flag football players as well as middle school and High School 7v7 teams that compete nationwide.
