Kaylyn Brown has had a phenomenal time on the track, quickly establishing herself as one of the brightest young stars in American sprinting. She fulfilled her dream to compete in the Olympics. Well, she did not just compete, but she won gold at the Paris Olympics in the 4×400 m relay. She made her parents and coach proud. Brown has been on track since she was nine. However, that life comes at its own price. Yet, her hard work and resilience helped her reach where she is.

Kaylyn Brown even turned heads as a freshman at the University of Arkansas when she set a collegiate record of 3:17.96 in the women’s 4x400m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. With many other accolades, she is ruling the track. But who is the driving force behind her success? Athletes often get all the limelight, however the force that helps them know their worth—their coaches—stays unknown. Let’s know about Kaylyn Brown’s coach, Chris Johnson.

Meet Chris Johnson, Kaylyn Brown’s coach

Kaylyn Brown’s coach, Chris Johnson, has trained several athletes, including six Olympians—Kaylyn Brown being one of them. Johnson joined the University of Arkansas on July 1, 2023, to lead the women’s program as the head coach. But before that, he served as an assistant coach for 12 long years. Where was he before that you ask?

After serving as Penn State’s assistant coach for eight seasons, Johnson returned to Fayetteville before the 2012 season. Under Chris Johnson’s leadership, both Penn State’s Nittany Lions and the Arkansas Razorbacks earned numerous accolades. The athletes made records and whatnot.

Chris Johnson’s career highlights and achievements

Chris Johnson is known for his impressive track and field coaching, with a career rich in trophies and major accomplishments. His dedication has not gone unnoticed in the sports world. He has been honored as the USTFCCCA National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year five times, earning this recognition during his time at both Penn State and Arkansas. On top of that, he has been named Assistant Coach of the Year in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic region multiple times for both indoor and outdoor seasons. These accolades speak volumes about his impact—but what about the success of the athletes who have competed under his guidance?

Many athletes have reached the peak of their careers while working with Johnson. One standout example is Olympic gold medalist Kaylyn Brown. At the University of Arkansas, Johnson led the team to a historic achievement during the 2022 campaign. The Razorbacks finished the 4x400m relay in 3:27.23. With this, they became the first school to win both the distance medley and the 4x400m relay at the same NCAA indoor championship. When it comes to individual success, numerous Olympians have thrived under his leadership. Among them are Regina George and Aleesha Barber, to name a few.

It was Kaylyn Brown’s coach who helped Britton Wilson set American and collegiate indoor records in the 400m with a time of 49.48. And Ackera Nugent set the collegiate indoor 60m hurdles record at 7.72 seconds as well. With all of these and many other achievements so far, what sets him apart?

What sets Chris Johnson apart in NCAA track coaching?

Chris Johnson immediately made a difference by guiding the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s team to win both the 2024 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships for the first time in the history of the sport. This earned him the National Women’s Coach of the Year accolade.

What sets him apart is his ability to balance training while ensuring his athletes don’t face mental exhaustion. Back in February 2025, when Kaylyn Brown suffered a hamstring injury, Johnson didn’t force her to a practice session. Instead, he withdrew her appearance and asked her only to focus on recovery— proving he values long-term health over short-term wins.

Under Chris Johnson’s leadership, freshman Kaylyn Brown clocked a world-leading 400m time of 49.95 seconds, highlighting his skill in transforming raw talent into record-breaking performance.