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WKU Track and Field coach dies at 34

WKU Track and Field assistant coach Willie Johnson, 34, passed away in the early hours on Sunday morning. Johnson came to WKU after coaching at Marshall University from 2010-13 and has been a crucial part of WKU Track and Field’s reign atop the Conference USA.

Johnson grew up in Orlando, Florida before competing collegiately at Florida State University, where we was a two-time All-American and four-time All-ACC triple jumper from 2002-05. Johnson is survived by his wife, Lacee, and their son, Ace.

“I lost a true friend on Sunday,” head track and field coach Erik Jenkins said in a statement.