Josh Johnson started his tenure as head coach for the Men’s and Women’s Golf teams in 2023-2024. Coach Johnson brings decades of golf experience. As an avid golfer, he is a fixture on local courses and has helped run events, lessons and camps at Fairways Golf Course. Johnson is also a former member of the Kish golf program, playing for the Kougars from 1997-1998.  “I played two years at Kishwaukee, and that’s what really piqued my interest to coach. I am an alumnus, and it gives me a chance to give back to the program,” Johnson said. “When I played, I met a lot of good people, and there was so much camaraderie. You get to know your teammates through practicing and traveling. It’s a great way to meet new friends.”

Coach Johnson hopes to build on the recent success of the program and help make the Kougars a regular contender for NJCAA Region 4, Arrowhead Conference titles while being a participant in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships. “Nationals is something we want to strive for every year. We want to get teams or individuals down there every season. That’s the kind of consistency we would like student-athletes coming to Kish to expect,” Johnson said. As a coach, Johnson said he wants to emphasize the mental side of golf, teaching his players to relax and think about the game. He also highlighted the importance of academics for student-athletes outside of the sport.  “Developing academically is very important for these players to take the next step in their college or career goals,” Johnson said. “Whether it’s education or golf, I want to help every student-athlete as much as possible to reach their next level.”