MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University Director of Athletics Wendell Staton has announced that Brittany Johnson has resigned as head coach of the softball program.

"I cannot thank Brittany enough for her leadership and for what she has done to elevate our program over the last two years," said Staton. "As a coach and leader of young people, Brittany is a good as I have ever been around.  As good of a coach as she is, she is a better person."

"I am incredibly grateful to Director of Athletics Wendell Staton and President (Cathy) Cox for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program and for giving me my first head coaching position," said Johson. "I have been fortunate to work alongside an athletics director whose belief in me and unwavering support were unmatched. Wendell has been an incredible mentor, and I am thankful to now call him a lifelong friend. I am also grateful for President Cox's leadership, which has set a standard of excellence across the University and helped create an environment where our student-athletes and staff could thrive.

"Most importantly, I am thankful for the student-athletes I had the privilege of coaching over the past two years," added Johnson. "They welcomed me with open arms, embraced our vision, and represented Georgia College & State University with pride every day. Their commitment, resilience, and trust made this experience incredibly rewarding, and they challenged me to become a better coach, leader, and person."

Johnson made an immediate impact to the Bobcat softball program since her arrival in the Capital City in 2024. She led the Bobcats to a 23-24 record in her first season at the helm as they earned the No. 2 seed in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, their highest tournament seed since 2018. Johnson was named the league's Coach of the Year - the first for GCSU since 2013 - and the Bobcats had four players named to the All-PBC team, including Kam Caldwell being named the PBC Player of the Year - the first Bobcat since 2009.

Johnson guided GCSU to a 29-20 overall record and a third-place finish in the Peach Belt. The Bobcats, who were ranked as high as No. 6 in the NCAA Division II Softball Regional Rankings before finishing eighth, had four players named to the All-PBC team as they advanced to the semifinals of the PBC Tournament. GCSU won three games against nationally ranked opposition - No. 4 University of North Georgia,  No. 13 University of West Florida and No. 19 Francis Marion University - during the campaign.

"I just can't say enough good things about coach Johnson," said Staton.  "She made me better as an AD and raised the bar for expectations throughout our department.  While I am losing her as a professional, our lifelong friendship remains.  You get a Brittany Johnson once in a career, and I look forward to being a part of her life for the rest of my life. True to her values, she is taking the opportunity to be closer to her family."

"Although I am excited to have accepted a position that takes me back to my home state and allows me to be closer to my family when I am needed most, GCSU has had a profound impact on my life," said Johnson.  "I am thankful for the support of the entire university community, athletics department, our coaching and support staffs, the alumni, and the loyal fans who made Bobcat athletics so special. I look forward to following the continued success of the Bobcats for years to come."

"Our next leader will have an incredible opportunity as we have a winning culture in every way, a roster full of talent, and most important, 22 student-athletes who are outstanding people who love this University and represent GCSU with such pride.  A search for the next leader of GCSU softball is underway and we look forward welcoming our new head coach in the coming weeks."

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 13 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and six-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.