The claim that Virginia Tech Softball has unveiled a statue honoring assistant coach Josh Johnson is a striking headline, but as of June 19, 2025, no credible sources, including HokieSports, ESPN, or local outlets like WSLS 10, confirm such an event. Given Johnson’s recent tenure and the rarity of statues for assistant coaches, this story appears to be speculative or fabricated. However, Johnson’s impact on the Hokies’ softball program is notable, and exploring the hypothetical significance of such a tribute provides insight into his contributions and the program’s trajectory.
Josh Johnson joined Virginia Tech as an assistant coach in June 2023, primarily working with the pitching staff, after four seasons at Mississippi State. His hiring was celebrated as a coup, with head coach Pete D’Amour praising Johnson’s expertise in player development, recruiting, and technology-driven coaching. At Mississippi State, Johnson transformed the Bulldogs’ pitching staff, reducing their ERA from 3.36 to 2.66, cutting walks per game from 4.44 to 2.45, and boosting strikeouts per game from 5.65 to 8.49 between 2019 and 2023. His 2020 staff achieved a 1.36 ERA, fourth nationally, and set school records for strikeouts and opponents’ batting average. Previously, he coached at Ball State, Louisiana, and Faulkner State Community College, where he led teams to historic finishes and produced 14 NJCAA All-Americans.
At Virginia Tech, Johnson’s impact was immediate. In 2024, Hokie pitchers Emma Lemley and Emma Mazzarone earned All-ACC Second Team honors, with Lemley also securing NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region First Team recognition. The pitching staff ranked sixth nationally with 398 strikeouts, contributing to the team’s fourth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. Johnson’s innovative approach, leveraging biomechanics and technology, has elevated players like Lemley, whose velocity and pitch variety improved significantly, as noted by D’Amour.
A statue honoring Johnson would be unprecedented, as such tributes are typically reserved for legendary figures like Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer or Bruce Smith, both in the university’s Sports Hall of Fame. Johnson, while accomplished, has been with the Hokies for only two seasons, and no assistant coach in recent memory has received such an honor. The Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1982, displays plaques in Cassell Coliseum, but statues are rare and tied to transformative figures. A statue for Johnson would suggest an extraordinary, yet undocumented, contribution, possibly tied to a national championship or cultural milestone, neither of which aligns with current records.
If true, this gesture would highlight Virginia Tech Softball’s rising profile under D’Amour, who earned NFCA Mid-Atlantic Staff of the Year honors in 2022. It could also reflect Johnson’s personal impact, perhaps through community service or mentorship, though no such details exist. Fans should verify claims through HokieSports or reputable sources like TechSideline. For now, Johnson’s real legacy is his tangible success in elevating the Hokies’ pitching prowess, not an unverified statue.
