Shamier Little’s coach is Chris Johnson. She was born on March 20, 1995, in Louisville, Kentucky. Little became the 2015 US Champion in the 400m hurdles and went on to capture silver medals in her signature event at the 2015 and 2023 World Championships. In 2021, Little achieved became the fifth-fastest woman of all time in the 400m hurdles, clocking an incredible 52.39 seconds in Stockholm.
Johnson, a track and field coach, has been serving as the head coach of the University of Arkansas' women's track and field program, where Shamier is a student. He has coached six Olympians, including Taylor Ellis-Watson, who won an Olympic gold medal when being coached by him. Two of his athletes, Janeek Brown and Britton Wilson, have been named Bowerman finalists, in lieu of their outstanding performances.
Quick Facts on Shamier Little’s Coach
| Coach Name | Chris Johnson |
|---|---|
| DOB | November 22, 1976 |
| Hometown/Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Employers/College Team | University of Arkansas (Head Coach, Women's Track & Field) |
| Occupation | Track and Field Coach |
| Sports | Track and Field (Sprints and Hurdles) |
| Net Worth | - |
| College | Lamar University |
| Height | - |
| Weight | - |
Shamier Little’s Coach
Chris Johnson, a track and field coach with a long history of success, has been a key figure in the development of American hurdler Shamier Little. Johnson's coaching tenure at the University of Arkansas has spanned over a decade.
He has been recognized as the National Assistant Coach of the Year five times and the Regional Assistant Coach of the Year fifteen times. Further, his coaching has guided six athletes to the Olympics, including a gold medalist.
Little's accomplishments under Johnson's guidance are impressive. She secured the US title in the 400m hurdles in 2015, won silver medals at the 2015 and 2023 World Championships, and earned her place in track history by achieving the fifth-fastest time ever recorded in the 400m hurdles.
Chris Johnson’s Wife
Chris Johnson is married to Gigi Miller, a former national champion heptathlete who competed for the University of Arkansas in 2001.
Chris Johnson’s Coaching Career
Amateur Career
Chris Johnson's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas from 2003 to 2004, where he played a role in the team's success, including two Southeastern Conference titles. He then spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Penn State University before returning to Arkansas in 2012.
Professional Career
Since joining the University of Arkansas in 2012, Chris Johnson has been a key player in the program's continued success. Being coached by him, the Razorbacks have won five NCAA championships and 14 of 19 SEC championships in indoor and outdoor track and field. Johnson has coached three individual national champions and three Olympians, including Shamier Little.
Chris Johnson’s Record
Five-time NCAA Women's National Assistant Coach of the Year (2018 Outdoor, 2019 Indoor, 2021 Indoor, 2023 Indoor, 2023 Outdoor)
15-time Regional Assistant Coach of the Year (nine times with Arkansas, six times with Penn State)
Coached six Olympians, including one Olympic gold medalist (Taylor Ellis-Watson)
Coached two Bowerman finalists (Janeek Brown, Britton Wilson)
Chris Johnson’s Awards & Achievement
Chris Johnson's Awards & Achievements
NCAA Women's Outdoor National Assistant Coach of the Year (2018)
NCAA Women's Indoor National Assistant Coach of the Year (2019, 2021, 2023)
NCAA Women's Outdoor National Assistant Coach of the Year (2023)
15-time Regional Assistant Coach of the Year (9 times with Arkansas, 6 times with Penn State)
Coached athletes to numerous program records, conference championships, and All-America honors
Shamier Little’s achievements under Chris Johnson
2015 US Champion in the 400m hurdles
Silver medalist in the 400m hurdles at the 2015 and 2023 World Championships
Fifth fastest woman of all time in the 400m hurdles (52.39 seconds, Stockholm 2021)
Three-time NCAA Champion in the 400m hurdles (2014, 2015, 2016)
Gold medalist in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay at the 2015 Pan American Games
FAQ's On Shamier Little’s Coach
A. Shamier Little's parents are Sean Little and Tiffany Mayfield. Her father, Sean, played cornerback for Eastern Kentucky University, while her mother, Tiffany, was a star basketball player and high jumper at the same institution.
A. Shamier Little was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to athletic parents. She began participating in youth track and field events at the age of eight.
