Michael Johnson, FAMU’s Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Operations was terminated last Wednesday after a short internal investigation. Johnson who joined FAMU Athletics in June 2020, served in his role for about a year and a half.
According to his bio on FAMUAthletics.com, Johnson was responsible for "directly overseeing internal operations, sports medicine, equipment operations, strength and conditioning, athletic communications, contracts (including managing all aspects of the agreement with apparel provider Nike and the LeBron James Brand), facilities + capital projects, and all athletic events; including postseason competition. He also directly assisted with football and basketball operations, while serving as the primary sport administrator for baseball, men and women's track, and cross country. “
While there are various rumors surrounding the circumstances, which led to Johnson's sudden departure none have been substantiated.
Johnson is not the first to have to leave in a "hurry"
Johnson becomes the second member of Athletic Director Kortne Gosha’s management team to be terminated. Ron Reeves, who was introduced as the Associate AD for Revenue Generation in January 2020, was dismissed from his position several months later.
Johnson becomes the second member of Athletic Director Kortne Gosha’s management team to be terminated. Ron Reeves, who was introduced as the Associate AD for Revenue Generation in January 2020, was dismissed from his position several months later.
Reeves has eventually landed a job with the University of Colorado as an Assistant AD for Annual Giving, according to his Linkedin page.
Departure comes as Gosha seeks renewal of contract
News of Johnson's termination comes as Gosha enters the final year of his three year contract and is the middle of contract extension negotiations.
Gosha is fairly popular among the FAMU athletic fanbase. He is affable, articulate, and very savvy at exploiting social media to his advantage. However, many of his claims, both past and present, simply don't pass the FactCheck test. There's a running joke in HBCU athletic circles that Gosha is the "Jussie Smollett of athletic directors".
Gosha gets high marks for his renovation of the Galimore-Powell Football Fieldhouse, other facility renovations /upgrades, and the new Nike/LeBron James apparel contract. However, despite his claims, he has had little involvement in the renovations of Bragg Memorial Stadium, nor did he play a role in securing the $10 million from Tallahassee/Leon County. Furthermore, those improvements are being managed by FAMU's Facilities, Planning and Construction staff which is very telling.
Gosha has a legacy of bad hires
Several of Gosha's hires have come under scrutiny, Deputy AD/Chief of Staff Keith McCluney has rubbed many on campus and the Rattler fanbase the wrong way. McCluney has been described as coming across about as smooth as number 400 sandpaper. While other of Gosha's hires have proven to be just plain inexperienced or incompetent.
Football gameday meltdowns
Football gameday operational issues, the chaotic rollout of digital ticketing and digital parking during this past fall's football season, and the embarrassing issue with the scoreboard at the Alabama State game demonstrated Gosha's staff inability to manage basic gameday operations.
While Gosha has done some good things, he has made critical errors. Does he deserve a contract extension? Not yet. It may be wise to evaluate him closer to the conclusion of his current contract to avoid further disastrous embarrassments down the road.