Tim Johnson joined the ORU staff prior to the 2015-16 school year from Clemson University.
Athletic programs have seen tremendous success and growth under Johnson.
Men’s Basketball achieved a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA Tournament and Summit League Championship in 2021 and had their best regular season in history in 2022-2023 with 30 wins, an undefeated conference season, and the highest seed ever earned by a Summit League team in the NCAA tournament.
The Baseball team also recently completed a historic run to Omaha and the College World Series, the first in 45 years. The team had their best regular season in ORU history, going undefeated in conference while winning the Stillwater Regional (wins over Oklahoma State, Washington, and DBU). The team then went on to beat Oregon twice to advance to the CWS, beating TCU in the opening game.
Men’s Soccer has won 3 of the last 4 Championships while Golf and Track have won multiple championships.
Fan and student engagement have also grown to record levels. Basketball attendance is up over 600% while The Mabee Center was named the “Best Basketball Atmosphere” in Oklahoma in back-to-back years. Student attendance is at the highest levels since the 1970’s and the section was named one of the best in the country.
In his time at ORU, the Golden Eagle Club has increased its membership by over 500% percent, achieved its highest fundraising totals, highest annual levels, and premium seating sales across all sports.
He has directed the design, build, and funding of a new 50,000 square-foot athletic center on campus and renovated Mabee Center. He has also directed renovations of the baseball stadium, men’s basketball locker room, men’s and women’s soccer locker rooms, volleyball locker room, installation of infield baseball turf and the construction of ORU’s first track and tennis complex on campus.
Johnson negotiated a department-wide Nike contract that more than quadrupled the value received by the department and also led the charge to update ORU’s athletic logo and brand.
Prior to ORU, as an Assistant A.D., Johnson served on Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips’ senior staff and acted as a sport supervisor – where he was heavily involved in building Clemson Football under Coach Dabo Swinney. The Clemson Football program won its first ACC Title in 20 years in 2011 and went on to win a National Championship in 2017. Johnson assisted in bowl preparation for multiple bowl games, including the Meineke Car Care Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Chick-fil-a Bowl.
He also supervised aspects of compliance, marketing, and all departmental contracts for the Tigers. Johnson helped develop the Clemson Athletics strategic plan and developed Safety and Security plans for Clemson Athletic Venues as part of Clemson’s Risk Management Committee. In addition, he aided in Clemson’s Billion Dollar Campaign “Will to Lead/Will to Win” in association with Clemson’s Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Brian O’Rourke. Through his involvement with IPTAY, Johnson promoted membership, helped with fundraising strategies, and was active on capital campaign committees.
Prior to Clemson, Johnson graduated from the University of Arkansas with both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (2005) and a Juris Doctor (2008) and practiced law in Fayetteville. During his time at Arkansas, Johnson worked on Coach Houston Nutt’s football staff from 2002 to 2007, appearing in two SEC Championship games and four bowl games. He received his MBA from Clemson University in 2014.
Johnson is a member of the Arkansas Bar, Arkansas Bar Association, American Bar Association, and The University of Arkansas Letterwinners Association (A Club).
Johnson married the former Brittany Arnold of Fayetteville, Arkansas. They live in Tulsa and have two daughters, Emelia and Eleanor, and a son, George Peyton.
