"Being a captain of the Cape Fear Men's Soccer team not only shaped my journey but also paved the way for my future role as a coach," remarks Gentry Johnson - a CFCC Men's Soccer alumni who was recently named Head Coach of the Millsaps College Majors (NCAA Division III, SAA Conference) in August of 2023.
Gentry Johnson, a local New Hanover High School graduate, transferred to Cape Fear in the Spring of 2011 from Francis Marion University. "I missed being close to home, and I wanted to get a fresh start after recovering from injury," said Coach Johnson. After falling back in love with his hometown in the Spring, Johnson showcased his skills as a center-mid, center-back, and right-back for the Sea Devils and eventually earned the esteemed title of captain for the 2011 team.
Beyond the soccer field, Gentry embraced his role as captain, fostering a positive off-field culture and ensuring the team's cohesion. His experiences in leadership set the stage for a future dedicated to coaching. "I knew that I wanted to spend time on the soccer field more than anywhere else, and I realized that I could turn that passion into a career after playing for CFCC that Fall season," Gentry reflects on the pivotal moment in Fall 2011 when he realized coaching could be a viable career path. CFCC became a nurturing ground for his passion, providing a conducive environment with smaller classes and helpful professors, allowing him to grow athletically and academically. He graduated in the Spring of 2012 with his Associate's Degree and transferred to Greensboro College to continue his playing career at the University level.
In the midst of his journey, Johnson faced adversity at Greensboro College, tearing his ACL during the summer. Unfazed by setbacks, he transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), where he graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Coach Johnson stayed busy as he began coaching for the Wilmington Hammerheads, one of the top youth soccer clubs in the Wilmington area, and continued to coach for the club until 2018.
Johnson's coaching journey then took him to Mississippi, where he joined Rankin Soccer Club in 2018. Subsequently, he served as Assistant Coach for Men's and Women's Soccer at Holmes Community College from 2020-2022 - where the Women's Soccer team advanced to the NJCAA Div. II Championship finals in 2021 and 2023 after winning the MACCC Conference Tournament in both seasons.
August 2023 marked a significant milestone as Gentry assumed the role of Head Coach for Millsaps College, an acknowledgment of his commitment to the sport and his ability to inspire players to reach their full potential.
Looking back at Gentry's fondest moments with Cape Fear, he enjoyed being on campus amid busy Downtown Wilmington, NC, and playing soccer in a nurturing environment that pushed him to excel on and off the pitch. "Playing soccer and going to college at CFCC gave me an amazing opportunity as someone who wasn't ready yet for the 4-year college experience. With caring professors and smaller class sizes, hanging out with my teammates on campus, and playing the sport that I love, I had so much fun and am thankful for my experiences there."
Moving ahead, Coach Johnson has his aspirations set on recruiting and building depth in his roster at Millsaps College, alongside growing local Mississippi Rush United into an Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) powerhouse. His pursuit of higher education continues as he is in the process of earning his Master's Degree in Soccer Coaching at Ohio University.
As Gentry charts a new course in his coaching career, it's evident that his passion for soccer and the leadership skills cultivated at CFCC continue to help be a part of the driving force behind his success.
