Charlotte, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte and its swim programs are pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Johnson to the Royals staff as an assistant men’s and women’s swim coach.
Johnson spent this past summer as the volunteer assistant coach for the Royals aiding in distance performance for the team. His work with the Royals helped two swimmers qualify for the 2015 Olympic Trials.
In addition to his time on the deck at Queens, Johnson spent this summer with SwimMAC Team Elite helping coaches with some of the top athletes in the world. Johnson’s responsibilities included assisting with workouts and watching techniques to help athletes perform to their optimal level as he worked with swimmers at all levels of competition.
Before traveling to Charlotte, N.C., Johnson worked with the University of Michigan and Club Wolverine serving as the program assistant to both programs for the 2014-2015 season. While working under World University Game and Olympic coaches Mike Bottom, Josh White, and Rick Bishop, Johnson gained valuable experience watching and helping develop top caliber athletes.
His time at the University of Michigan enabled Johnson to work with a top level team helping the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship, followed by third place at the NCAA National Championship meet. While in Ann Arbor, Johnson worked with Club Wolverine Elite Team that includes Olympians including Connor Jaeger (2012) and Sean Ryan (2016) and as a part of the age group program, he helped lead the Club Wolverine swimmers on to become state champions alongside Laura Cowley. Johnson’s coaching efforts saw over 50 top 16 state swims including two individual and two relay teams claiming a state championship.
“Known to be an excellent stroke technician and well-read, I look to welcome Matthew to Queens in his role of assistant coach,” said Head Coach Jeff Dugdale.
Johnson swam collegiately at Darton College and Union College, graduating from Union in 2012 with a degree in Health and Human Performance. He was a top 8 national swimmer on three different occasions and served as captain of his college swim team. During college Johnson was the head coach for the Mountain Park Sharks from 2006-2012 and after college was asked to be the Senior and Age Group Head Coach for the West Georgia Swim Club from 2012-2014.
Swimming news courtesy of Queens Swimming.
Congrats Matt. You have come a long way from when we were captains at Darton.
I know him