Jaimel Johnson Hired As New Assistant Soccer Coach

May 10, 2010

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa head women’s soccer coach Ron Rainey announced today that Jaimel Johnson has been hired as the team’s new assistant coach. Johnson replaces Eileen Narcotta, who resigned to pursue her doctorate degree at the UI.

“I am very excited to become a part of the Hawkeye Athletic Department and the women’s soccer program,” Johnson said. “I look forward to the challenges and excitement of the Big Ten.”

“We are excited about Jaimel’s addition to the University of Iowa, the Hawkeye athletic department and the soccer program,” Rainey said. “Jaimel is a young coach who will push our goalkeepers and brings incredible energy to our team. She emerged from a talented pool of candidates as someone who meets the needs of our program, and we cannot wait for her to get started. I also want to wish Eileen luck as she pursues her PhD here at the UI. She has given a lot to Iowa athletics over her four years.”

Johnson comes to Iowa with an extensive playing background. She was a four-year goalkeeper at the University of Tennessee from 2005-08 and collected numerous awards and honors during her time in Knoxville. Johnson was a NSCAA/adidas all-American and first team all-SEC pick in 2007. She was named to the Hermann Trophy (soccer’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy) Watch List in 2008 and was a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award in 2009.

Johnson, a two-time team captain at Tennessee, led the Volunteers to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. She also helped Tennessee claim two SEC titles in 2005 and 2008. Johnson was named MVP of the SEC Tournament in 2008.

While at Tennessee, Johnson earned numerous academic awards. She was a four-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and was named to the SEC all-Academic team three times. In 2007, Johnson was an ESPN the Magazine Academic all-District IV selection.

Johnson has years of experience at the international level. She was in the U.S. National Team pool in 2003 (U-17), 2006 (U-19) and 2008 (U-23).

Johnson played professionally for the Chicago Red Stars in the WPS and was selected in the 2009 inaugural draft.