According to a report from Inside Pack Sports, James Johnson will not return as an assistant coach at NC State next season. According to the report, “this was a personal move for Johnson, who informed Keatts of his decision. Various factors played a role in Johnson’s decision.”

Johnson had been on Kevin Keatts staff since 2017, and worked in an administrative role at Miami before that. The former head coach at Virginia Tech (2012-14) was a college teammate of Keatts’ at Ferrum College in the early 1990’s.

Johnson’s departure means that Keatts will have an entirely new coaching staff in 2022-23. Assistant coaches Mike Summey and Roy Roberson were released after this past season. Former Kansas City head coach Kareem Richardson, and former NC State standout Levi Watkins have already been hired to replace Summer and Roberson.

No word yet on potential replacements for Johnson.