( Ben Goff)
Arkansas assistant track coach Chris Johnson (left) speaks with Taliyah Brooks during the Tyson Invitational on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE — Lonnie Greene saw star potential in Chris Johnson at a young age.
As an Arkansas assistant coach, Greene hired Johnson to be a graduate assistant for sprinters and hurdlers prior to the 2003 track and field seasons.
Johnson’s older brother, Lawrence, had also been a GA for Greene. Lawrence Johnson went on to become a six-time conference champion head coach in four seasons at Clemson, and when he called Greene inquiring about an entry-level position at Arkansas for Chris — then a middle school teacher and high school track coach in Beaumont, Texas — Greene did not need much convincing.