The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast11 Touko

#362: Kailey Johnson-Central Methodist Univ | From Athlete to Coach

Kailey Johnson didn’t grow up dreaming of being a coach.

She grew up in it.

From playing in the sand pits as a kid while her dad coached… to competing as a hurdler at Central Methodist… to now standing on the other side of the track as a coach — her journey is a full-circle story that hits different.

What makes this episode even more special?

Back in January of 2021, her head coach — Kenny Anderson — joined the Gill Connections podcast as Guest #85.

At that time, Kailey was a freshman athlete on his team.

Now… she’s on the coaching staff.

That evolution is what this podcast is all about.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:🧬 Growing up as a coach’s kid and how it shaped her perspective🏃‍♀️ Why track “stuck” when other sports didn’t🎓 Choosing Central Methodist for culture over convenience🧠 The moment she realized her original career path wasn’t it📸 How injuries led her toward creativity, photography, and communication🔁 The unexpected shift from athlete to coach🤝 What it’s like now working alongside the same coach she competed for

“I had no thought of coaching at all… and now I’m here doing it every day.” — Kailey Johnson

This is a story about proximity, perspective, and how being around great coaching — even when you don’t realize it — can shape your future.

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

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#115: Gill1918 presents Zontavious Johnson "Coaching the Short and Long Hurdles Part 1"

Back in the fall of 2025, Coach Marques Lowe (Gill podcast alum!) and the Vipers Track Club hosted a Central Illinois Pre-Season Coaches Clinic. To increase the value to other coaches, he has allowed ...

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#114: Gill1918 Presents Coach Evander Wells “How I Use AI as a Coach” Powered by Coach O

Evander is the Men's and Women's Associate Head T&F Coach at the University of North Florida primarily coaching sprints, jumps, and hurdles, but also juggling all of the other duties of an NCAA coach....

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#350: Fireside chat with HoF Coach Randy Huntington Part 1 | World Records, China & the Cost of the Craft

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#113: Gill1918 presents Mike Erb "How to be a Great Assistant Coach Part 2"

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#112: Gill1918 presents Mike Erb "How to be a Great Assistant Coach Part 1"

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#111: Gill1918 Presents Coach/Author Dave Emeott “Growing Pains” Powered by Coach O

Dave is the head boys' coach at East Kentwood HS in MI where he has had great success in building a huge program and winning multiple championships. In this episode he shares how to achieve even more ...

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#349: Francesca Green-UTEP | From Hustling Neighborhood Races to Leading with Purpose

From hustling neighborhood races at age eight to standing on the Olympic Trials runway — and now leading one of the most historic programs in the country — Francesca Green’s journey is one built on be...

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