Paul Johnson enters his fourth season as head coach of the Chowan football program after being named the ninth head coach in program history in January 2023.
Johnson guided the Hawks through their inaugural Conference Carolinas season in 2025, leading the program to a 4-7 overall record and a 2-4 mark in conference play. Under his leadership, nine Hawks earned All-Conference honors. Antwone Godley was named to the All-Conference First Team on defense, while Darryl Harris, Isaiah Fulton, Malachi Howell, and Jamall Browning received Defensive Second Team recognition. On the offensive side, Jakobe Lane, Malique Frazier, Dezmond Randolph, and Jack Beylo were selected to the All-Conference Second Team. Dahleal Harmon and Cru Blanchard were also recognized for their success both on the field and in the classroom, earning College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors. Throughout the season, Johnson also coached several Conference Carolinas weekly award winners, with Hawks earning Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week honors on multiple occasions.
During the 2024 campaign, Johnson led the Hawks to a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in Gulf South Conference play. He earned his first career victory as Chowan's head coach with a 27-25 win over Mississippi College. The Hawks finished the season with three All-GSC selections, highlighted by wide receiver Jakobe Lane's First Team honors. Gabriel Jackson and Kennypride Toh were both named to the All-GSC Second Team.
In his first season at the helm in 2023, Johnson guided the Hawks through their inaugural campaign as members of the Gulf South Conference. Chowan produced its first First Team All-GSC selection, as linebacker Traveon Mitchell led the conference in tackles to earn the honor.
Johnson arrived at Chowan after spending two seasons at Bloomsburg University, where he served as offensive coordinator while coaching the tight ends and wide receivers. During his tenure with the Huskies, Bloomsburg averaged 304.2 offensive yards per game in the PSAC East and produced a 700-yard rusher.
Prior to Bloomsburg, Johnson spent 10 seasons at the University of Charleston (2011-21). During his first six seasons, he served as the Golden Eagles' run game coordinator and offensive line coach. Four of those teams averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game, and Johnson helped lead Charleston to the program's first postseason appearance in 2015. The Golden Eagles finished 10-2 that season while averaging 41.1 points and 241.3 rushing yards per game.
Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2017. During the 2019 season, Charleston produced a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and a 1,000-yard receiver. He also coached Michael Strachan to All-America honors before Strachan was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft.
During his tenure at Charleston, Johnson coached 17 All-Conference offensive linemen while helping the Golden Eagles rank among the nation's top 25 in several offensive categories.
Before joining Charleston, Johnson served as a graduate assistant at Marshall and West Virginia. During his time at West Virginia, he helped the Mountaineers earn appearances in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and Gator Bowl.
A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Johnson played collegiately at Ohio University under Frank Solich. A three-year starting left guard, he helped the Bobcats earn their first bowl appearance since 1966 with a berth in the 2007 GMAC Bowl. Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation Management from Ohio in 2008 before completing a master's degree in Athletic Coaching Education at West Virginia in 2010.
Johnson and his wife, Kristina, have two daughters and one son.
