Joe Johnston has been named head wrestling coach at the United States Air Force Academy, interim director of athletics Dr. Nancy Hixson announced. Johnston, who spent eight seasons as an assistant at Air Force, takes over from Sam Barber, who retired from coaching July 15 and was promoted to associate athletic director.

During his eight seasons on staff, Johnston helped guide the Falcons to three NCAA top-25 finishes, three All-Americans, 33 national qualifiers and 42 conference medalists. Air Force cadet-athletes earned 95 academic all-conference honors and 21 NWCA Scholar All-America honors under his watch.

Johnston came to the Academy after 11 seasons as an assistant at Missouri under head coach Brian Smith. During his time with the Tigers, Johnston helped produce 36 All-Americans and six national champions, coached the program to eight consecutive conference titles — one Big 12 title in 2012 and seven MAC titles from 2013-19 — and five consecutive top-10 NCAA finishes.

As a competitor at Iowa, Johnston was a two-time All-American at 157 pounds, placing second as a junior in 2005 and sixth as a senior in 2006. He compiled a 113-45 career record with the Hawkeyes, posting at least 26 wins in each season. A two-time team captain and Most Valuable Wrestler, Johnston earned the J. Donald McPike senior award for highest grade-point average. He graduated from Iowa in 2006 and earned a master's degree in educational psychology from Missouri in 2013.