Portland State announces leadership transition for PSU Athletics

Portland State Director of Athletics John Johnson announced his resignation from PSU Athletics effective at the end of April. Johnson, who has been at Portland State for two years, has expressed a need to be closer to elderly family members.

PSU President Ann Cudd announced that Deputy Athletics Director Matt Billings will step in as acting Athletics Director. A search for a permanent leader for PSU Athletics will kick off in the coming months.

"I have enjoyed my time at Portland State, but my wife Lisa and I have decided at this time that we have a much greater need to be with her family," said Johnson. "I will miss Portland State and the Big Sky Conference and am grateful for the opportunity I have had to lead a Division I athletics program once again, and I am confident that I leave the athletics program at PSU well positioned for the future. I want to say thank you to the coaches and staff for their tireless dedication to excellence."

In his two years with the Vikings, Johnson oversaw the development of a strategic plan for Athletics which included a review of the sports programs and conference affiliations, Title IX review, market opportunity evaluation and collaborated with the PSU Foundation to establish significant revenue goals and chart a path for financial sustainability of the program.

During his tenure, Johnson also restructured the department to meet the needs of PSU Athletics. This included the hiring of many new Athletics leaders, including three new members of the senior staff and one new head coach.

"Portland State is grateful for John's relatively short but impactful tenure with PSU Athletics," said PSU President Ann Cudd. "His deep experience and dedication was invaluable, and I look forward to finding a new partner to help us evolve our programs to best serve the university, our student-athletes and the community."

Johnson has spent 40 years working in collegiate athletics. He has held athletics directorships at Eastern Washington (1993-97), Weber State (1997-2004) and Portland State (2022-2024). He also had lengthy tenures in athletics administration at Washington State and Nebraska. He was named FCS West Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2001 and was known for fund-raising and facility development at each of his stops. While at Weber State, Johnson's programs won four women's Big Sky Conference All-Sport Trophies and four men's Big Sky Conference All-Sport Trophies.