University of North Carolina at Pembroke Wrestling

Having already turned in six of the finest seasons in the history of the wrestling program at UNC Pembroke, including a 2017-18 campaign that led to the program's first conference title in 34 years, Othello "O.T." Johnson heads into his 15th season at the helm of the UNCP wrestling program in 2025-26, as well as his 20th on the coaching staff of the Braves. Johnson served as an assistant coach for five seasons prior to being named the program's sixth head coach on Aug. 9, 2011. A long standing tradition of success continued during the 2024-25 season as the Braves sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. The program also had five student-athletes named All-Conference Carolinasm marking the sixth-straight season the Braves have had three or more wrestlers decorated with All-Conference nods. The 2023-24 season saw the Black & Gold send six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, and would finish in a tie for tenth as a team, its highest finish since the 2011-12 season. Scott Joll placed third at 174 pounds, while Keegan Roberson took sixth at 157 pounds, both earning All-American honors. Johnson brought his expertise to the coaching world as an assistant coach for the UNCP wrestling team in 2006, playing an integral role in leading the Braves to five-straight top-30 appearances. Johnson began his athletic and academic career at Colby (Kan.) Community College in 2001, twice (2002, 2003) capturing all-American accolades from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJ