ST. PAUL, Minn. – Concordia-St. Paul Head Track & Field Coach Sam Johnson has announced his resignation after leading both the men's and women's programs for the past 13 seasons.

"It has been a great honor to lead and coach the young men and women of the track & field team," said Johnson. "The nature of the team and institution made it easy for me to want to give as much as I could, and in an interesting twist of fate, I've grown so much as a result of my time as head coach."

Across his 13 seasons at the helm after being hired as the head coach in the fall of 2012, Johnson's track & field program at Concordia has produced five individual NCAA Champions, 32 USTFCCCA All-Americans, 31 individual NSIC Champions, and 118 All-NSIC selections (71 men, 47 women).

"It has been an emotional spring, but it is the right time to step away from coaching for my family and me," added Johnson. "I want to thank Jarred Sampson and Tom Rubbelke for giving me a life-changing opportunity back in 2012 and Regan McAthie and Allison Meadows for their continued support, not only of the track & field program, but also of me as an individual."

"Sam Johnson's steady and intentional stewardship of countless student-athletes and other coaches has made a lasting mark on the CSP Track and Field program as well as our entire campus," said Concordia-St. Paul Director of Athletics Regan McAthie. "His departure hits our department hard, and while we are happy for him and his new opportunities, his absence will be felt by everyone who had the pleasure to work with him. We are grateful for the incredible growth and success he fostered within the program and his contributions will not be soon forgotten."

Johnson also worked as an assistant with Concordia from 2010 to 2012 before taking his role as the head coach. During that time, Johnson's athletes collected eight All-NSIC performances, two NSIC individual championships, and one national qualifying mark en route to breaking 14 school records.

Prior to Concordia, Johnson spent two seasons as an assistant track & field coach for the Huskies of St. Cloud State University. While there, he co-coached the sprint and jump athletes, helping to develop multiple conference champions, national qualifiers and one national champion.

Johnson also competed for the Huskies for four seasons and was a two-year captain while competing in the long sprints, 400-meter hurdles, relays and long jump. Johnson earned All-North Central Conference honors and was named to the NCC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll four times.