ORANGEBURG, SC--This week's Bulldog Football spotlight we had a chance to sit down with Assistant AD for Football/Chief of Staff Latroy Johnson. Johnson is in his first season on the SC State football coaching staff. Johnson comes to SC State after a three-year stint as the Assistant AD for Football Operations/Chief of Staff for the 2023 HBCU National Champions/Cricket Wireless Celebration Champion Florida A&M Rattlers. At SCSU, he oversees various aspects of the football team, including managing gameday travel, equipment requirements, and supporting the hiring and departure processes of the staff. He previously served in the same capacity at FAMU. Prior to joining Florida A&M, Johnson served in a similar role at Jackson State for two years. He later served as the Director of Equipment Operations, at Mississippi Valley State Tennessee State, Morgan State, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Middle Tennessee State and South Carolina State University. He got his start in the business as a student equipment manager at Clemson University from 2000-04. A native of Orangeburg, S.C., Johnson is a 2004 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Sports Management. To see Johnson's complete bio, visit www.scsuathletics.com.
 
Q: What made you decide to return to South Carolina State?
A: Opportunity and Family. The opportunity to collaborate with Coach (Chennis) Berry in his first year as the new head coach of the Bulldogs after my previous head coach took another job, played a major role in my decision to return. Probably more importantly was the ability to spend this time with my family. My son is a junior in high school and to be part of his last year and a half of high school and to get back to the father-son relationship that we had been longing for meant the world to me. I'm a momma's boy so to be back on the same campus with my mother who is nearing retirement is a blessing.
 
Q: What would you say is one of the biggest challenges you face in your current role?
A: In this role I would say the biggest challenge is being able to be effective as the Chief of Staff. With having good relationships with your staff sometimes it's hard to be a voice of reason when you are cool with everyone. So being able to know when to be the Chief of Staff and when to be one of the boys is the most challenging part.
 
Q: What would you tell your younger self at this point?
A: Stay the course, nothing will come easy and if it does, it is probably not worth having.
 
Q. What was the best advice given to you throughout your career?
A: Work until you do not have to introduce yourself. The moment you do not have to do that is when you relax until then just keep your head down and keep working.
 
Q. What is the biggest challenge you see in college football today?
A: Being able to navigate the world of NIL and the Transfer Portal. You will either adapt or die.
 
Q: What is a misconception about coaches' society always claim?
A: People think that this profession is a get rich quick society, not knowing that the average coach must work countless number of years before they hit that "BIG PAYDAY," while some never get there.
 
Q: When I am not working, I am doing? 
A: Chilling with family and friends
 
Q: If I were not in my current role, what profession would I be in?  
A: I really do not know what I would be doing to be honest. I have done something in the world of athletics my entire professional career, so to be honest if I were not in the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations and Chief of Staff, I would be either in sales or city or county recreation.
 
Q: A hidden talent I have no one knows about is?
A: LOL I would say the hidden talent would be I can sing. I have been singing since I was about 8 or 9 years old.
 
Q: The person I admire the most in life?
A: My Mother is my most admired person. She is the most selfless person I know and is always giving of herself to help to ensure everyone else has.
 
Q: My favorite quote in life? 
A: "Attack the day with a purpose, meet the day with a plan, and finish the day with results" and in all things "Be Great on Purpose" #BGOP
 
HOT SEAT
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Cereal or Snack: White Chedder Popcorn
Favorite Song and Artist: Jay-Z/Song Cry
Favorite Hobby: Spending Time with Family and Friends
Favorite Sport besides football: Basketball
One word that describes yourself: Relentless.
 
ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
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