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Kevin Johns
Head Coach Kevin Johns enters his 18th season as the head of the Mississippi College men’s soccer program. In 17 years, Johns has become the winningest coach in MC men’s soccer history. Over his career at MC, he has posted a 174-98-37 (.623) career record.
The Choctaws won their second Gulf South Conference regular season championship in three years, going undefeated in conference play with a 7-0-3 record. After a win over Union to open the league tournament, MC was eliminated in overtime by Lee and just missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth. For his efforts, Johns was named the GSC Coach of the Year for the second time in three years, as well. Goalkeeper Alejandro Chavarria set school records for single-season goals against average (0.62) and shutouts (9) and was an All-Region and First Team All-GSC selection. Joshua Davies also earned All-Region recognition and joined Owen Connelly on the All-GSC Second Team. Abel Perez was also honored on with an All-Region selection. The Choctaws also had 20 student-athletes named to the GSC Academic Honor Roll.
The 2018 season was a tough one for the Choctaws, by MC standards, as they went 6-7-1 and finished just one game out of a spot in the GSC Tournament. Senior Rafael Costa was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-South Region Second Team and earned a spot on the First Team All-GSC. Junior Connor Johnson was named to the CoSIDA Google Cloud Academic All-District Team and the GSC All-Academic Team, while 16 student-athletes landed on the GSC Academic Honor Roll.
In 2017, Johns oversaw the Choctaws to an overall record of 11-3-3 and a mark of 7-2-2 against GSC opponents. The Choctaws placed five players on the All Conference Teams, with Humberto Pelaez and Jacob Farthing earning First Team honors, and Victor Bazan, Horacio Gutierrez Jr. and Elliot Rimmer garnering second-team honors. Farthing and Bazan were both honored by the D2CCA, garnering All-South Region Second Team honors. The Choctaw attack led the Gulf South Conference in shots taken (317), shots per match (18.65) and shots on goal per contest (8.18) in 2017. The Choctaws scored 34 goals in 17 matches, for an average of 2 per contest. The MC backline allowed 17 goals on the season, averaging one goal allotted per match while pitching five shutouts. MC booked a second-consecutive trip to the Gulf South Conference Postseason Tournament in 2017, earning the number three seed as the result of their efforts on the field during the year. MC bested West Florida 3-2 in the quarterfinal round of the GSC Tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 31 to earn their second-straight trip top the GSC semifinals. The Choctaws put together their second-longest win streak in program history in 2017, tallying seven-consecutive wins from Sept. 8 through Sept. 29.
The year 2016 saw the Choctaws clinch the GSC Regular Season title in their first full season of competition in the conference, finishing at 10-4-2 overall and 7-1-1 against GSC opponents. Johns was honored as the GSC Coach of the Year as a result of leading MC to its first regular season title after a 20 year absence from the conference. The Choctaw’s season was highlighted by an eight-match win streak that took place from Sept. 18 through Oct. 16, with crucial GSC victories over West Florida, West Alabama, UAH and Union all decided by a one-goal margin. In 16 games, the Choctaws scored 35 goals for an average of 2.19 per contest; a mark that ranked them second in the GSC. MC posted a GSC-best 0.91 goals against average, led by junior goalkeeper Humberto Pelaez, who earned GSC All-Conference First Team Honors, in addition to being named the GSC Player of the Year. Jorge Delgado, Ben Roberts, and Jacob Farthing all also earned GSC All-Conference First Team honors for their efforts during the year. The Choctaws officially clinched the GSC Regular Season Title with a 0-0 draw against Shorter on Oct. 23. As a result of finishing first place in the GSC for the regular season, the Choctaws played host to the GSC Conference Semifinals on Nov.4-Nov. 6.
Johns and the Choctaws finished 5-10-1 overall and 2-6-1 against GSC opponents in 2015. Of MC's 10 loses on the season, eight came by just one goal. The Choctaw attack notched 30 goals in 16 games, for an average of 1.88 per contest. Defender Perry Goldsbury collected NCCAA All-Mideast Region Team honors for his efforts on the pitch during the season. Goldsbury spearheaded an MC defense that allowed one or fewer goals in 10 of 16 matches on the season. Over the final nine games of the season, the Choctaws compiled a record of 5-3-1, including victories over GSC opponents Shorter, Spring Hill and a 5-1 nonconference victory over Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 31 to close out the season.
In 2014, Johns and the Choctaws finished at 12-6-2 overall and 5-4 against Gulf South Conference opponents in their first season of a two-year transitional period in the GSC. The Choctaws amassed their third highest season goal total in school history, with 50 scores in 20 games for an average of 2.50 per contest. The Choctaws were led offensively by NCCAA DI All-American Brian Vasquez, who finished with seven goals and an MC single-season record of 17 assists. Johns and the Choctaws finished off the regular season on a four-match win streak, with victories over GSC foes Lee, Spring Hill and West Florida. Johns led MC to a number one seed in the NCCAA Division I National Tournament, as a result of hosting and winning the NCCAA Mid-East Region Tournament; highlighted by a 3-3 draw versus Campbellsville in which the Choctaws advanced to the regional finals on penalty kicks.
In 2013, the Choctaws won the American Southwest Conference regular season championship for the second straight year, dropping just one league match all season long. MC finished their last two years in the ASC with a 20-3-2 record in the conference. Despite being ineligible to defend their ASC Tournament championship, Johns led the Choctaws to the National Christian College Athletic Association Tournament, earning two draws. Six Choctaws were named to the All-ASC Teams, led by goalkeeper Adam Pittman, who was named ASC Defensive Freshman of the Year. Adrian Moreno, Brian Vasquez and Pittman were named to the First Team, while Francisco De Anda and Harrison Russell were Second Team selections. Oscar Delgado rounded out the list with an Honorable Mention nod.
The Choctaws had, arguably, their most successful season in school history in 2012, winning their first-ever ASC championship, along with the league tournament title. Johns was named the ASC Coach of the Year as MC needed two penatly kick victories to win the tournament at Longabaugh Field. The Choctaws advanced to the NCAA Regional, defeating Whitworth (1-0) in the first round, before bowing out to Trinity (TX) in PK's. Seven Choctaws earned All-ASC honors, led by Julio Cesar Espinal, Robert Jackson, Daniel Lang and Brian Vasquez being named to the First Team. Vasquez was also named an NSCAA All-American and All-West Region performer. Harrison Russell was an All-West Region honoree, as well as, a Second Team All-ASC performer. BJ Williams (Third Team) and Hugo Flores (Hon. Mention) also earned All-ASC honors.
The 2011 season saw the Choctaws qualify for their sixth consecutive ASC Tournament, going 14-3-3, including a win streak of seven games over the final month. MC also did not lose a match over the final 10, tying the final three of the season. Brian Vasquez was named the ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year, while seven other Choctaws earned All-Conference honors. Ben Cross and Rafael Guzman joined Vasquez on the First Team. Vasquez and Cross were also named to the All-Region Team by NSCAA.
In 2010, the Choctaws advanced to their second ASC Tournament Championship game in five years as MC faced Texas-Tyler for the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Choctaws allowed the fewest goals in school history with on 12 GA on the season and finished the year with a school record 12 shutouts. Seven Choctaws earned All-ASC honors with Michael Cooper and Barry Prather being named to the First Team.
In 2009, the Choctaws made their fourth consecutive trip to the ASC Tournament, finishing 12-4-4. Forward Michael Cooper set MC single-season records for goals with 20 and led the conference, while earning ASC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Six Choctaws finished with All-ASC honors on the season with Cooper and Tyler Wade earning First Team selections.
In 2008 under Johns leadership, senior forward Phillip Buffington tied the ASC record for goals scored with 56 goals in just 54 games. Senior defender Keith Armstrong also earned ASC Defensive Player of the Year honors on his way to his fourth straight All-ASC season. Both players are receiving interest from different professional organizations across the country and are expected to sign contracts this offseason.
In 2007, Johns led the Choctaws to a 12-5-1 record, including a 10-2-1 mark against ASC opponents. The Choctaws scored 47 goals in 18 games, for an average of 2.61 goals per contest; a mark that ranked fourth all time in school history. The Choctaws tallied 42 assists, which ranked them third all time in school history. The 2007 season was highlighted by a 7-match unbeaten streak from Sept.1 through Sept. 29.
In 2006, the Choctaws went 14-5-3 and reached the ASC Championship Game for the first time in the program’s history. The Choctaws lost in the final 2-1 to Hardin-Simmons University. The Choctaws have reached the ASC Championship Tournament in each of the last four seasons.
During his tenure as a JFC coach, Johns managed to win more club soccer state championships than any other coach in Mississippi history. During his thirteen years as a club coach, Johns produced 21 state championships in men and women’s soccer in ages ranging from 11-18. Johns’ under-19 boys team in 2006 was the first team in MYSA (Mississippi Youth Soccer Association) history to win nine consecutive state championships. Johns also served as Director of Coaching for Jackson Futbol Club in 2002-2003.
During the 1997-98 seasons, Johns gained experience in the professional ranks as the assistant head coach and assistant general manager of the Jackson Chargers. Johns also served as the head coach on road trips for the now defunct minor league team. Johns also was the Head Coach for the women’s program at St. Andrew’s High School from 1995-1997. He led St. Andrews to a semifinal appearance in the MHSAA state tournament.
Johns spent his collegiate playing career with the Belhaven Blazers, a NAIA scholarship school. With the Blazers, he spent four years under the leadership of Pete Fuller, now the head coach at the University of Mobile. During his career at Belhaven, the Blazers won the 1992 NAIA National Championship.
Johns currently holds a USSF B license and his National Youth license.
Kevin and his wife Emily have a son, Davis.
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