CIU Baseball's Founding Head Coach, Johnson, Departs Program

(Story provided by Columbia International Sports Communications)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia International University (CIU) head baseball coach Jonathan Johnson has announced his departure from the Rams' program to pursue new professional ventures. Johnson leaves behind a legacy of excellence, growth, and championship pedigree, having shaped CIU baseball into a competitive and respected program on the national stage in his six seasons at the helm.

CIU celebrates Johnson leading the Rams to numerous milestones, including the NCCAA World Series title and a regular-season series win over NAIA-ranked No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan in 2021. That season, CIU went 38-26 overall and completed a flawless 9-0 run through the NCCAA postseason. Johnson exits CIU following the most successful regular season in program history, as the Rams finished 30-22 in 2025 and narrowly missed the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament semifinals behind a deep pitching staff highlighted by All-AAC standout and College of Charleston transfer Drake Thames.

"CIU Athletics is deeply grateful to Coach Johnson for building a respected baseball program from scratch here at the university," said Director of Athletics Stefan Vasiloff, "We want to thank Coach Johnson for helping CIU not only experience athletic success but also for the young men Coach Johnson mentored and poured into over the last six years." 

A former MLB pitcher and Florida State Hall of Famer, Johnson started the CIU baseball program in 2020, coaching multiple All-Americans, All-Conference, and all All-Region selections. Johnson was also instrumental in the building of Miller Field, donating his time and resources to construct the ballpark.

Reflecting on his time at CIU, Johnson said, "My time at CIU will go down as some of the most challenging and the most rewarding years of my life. I had no clue how many laughs I would have and how many relationships I would build on that field as I was building it."

Johnson added, "Walking with my guys through personal tragedy, faith steps, and so many personal issues over the years can never be measured in worldly value. Thank you, CIU, for six years I will never forget!"

Off the field, Johnson's influence extended through Honoring the Father Ministries—a faith-based baseball outreach he founded in 1996. Johnson also made a lasting impact in the Columbia baseball community through previous coaching roles with the Lexington County Blowfish, Dutch Fork High School, and Ben Lippen School.

A national search is underway for the second head baseball coach in program history.