Daniel Roberts’ journey to becoming an Olympic silver medalist (2024 Paris) and World Championships bronze medalist (2023 Budapest) reads like a rollercoaster of grit and redemption. The Georgia-born hurdler stunned fans in Paris with a heart-stopping 13.09-second finish, clawing his way to silver despite being spiked mid-race and clipping hurdles—edging Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadbell by a razor-thin 0.003 seconds. But Roberts’ path hasn’t always been golden. In 2015, a devastating knee injury (torn ACL, MCL, and PCL) threatened to derail his career before it truly began, while a crushing disqualification at the 2019 World Championships left him sidelined despite winning his heat.

But behind every hurdle cleared and every setback overcome, there is his coach, Allen Johnson, the legendary Olympic gold medalist and hurdles icon who’s shaped Roberts’ career. But who is Allen? Let us take a closer look at the coach who made a star out of Allen.

Who is Allen Johnson?

Allen Johnson isn’t just a name in track and field record books—he’s the guy who turned hurdling into an art form. He was born in Washington, D.C., back in 1971. Johnson started turning heads at the University of North Carolina, where he smashed the 55-meter hurdles NCAA record in 1992 with a blazing 7.07 seconds. He had dominated the long jump, setting ACC records and snagging four conference titles. 

Off the track, he is a devoted dad to his daughter, Tristine. Johnson balances coaching Daniel Roberts and mentorship with fatherhood, often sharing how parenthood reshaped his perspective on legacy. His past relationship with fellow track star Torri Edwards, a sprinter and Olympic medalist, added another layer to his ties within the sport, blending personal and professional worlds. But Johnson’s heart isn’t just for his inner circle. In 1998, he sponsored the Allen Johnson High School Invitational at his Virginia alma mater, Lake Braddock High, rallying funds to replace its crumbling track. The effort wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about giving back, earning him the USATF Humanitarian of the Year award in 1999.

However, his story isn’t all podium moments. Competing blind in his left eye, a condition he’s never used as an excuse, he redefined what’s possible in a sport demanding razor-sharp precision. But he has never let his limitations define him, and even after retiring from the track, he began coaching athletes like Daniel Roberts.

Daniel Roberts coach, Allen Johnson’s career highlights and achievements

Allen isn’t just a coach—he’s a living blueprint for hurdling greatness. Born in Washington, D.C., Johnson dominated the sport in the ’90s and 2000s, stacking accolades like Olympic gold (1996 Atlanta), four World Championships titles (1995, 1997, 2001, 2003), and three World Indoor Championships golds (1995, 2003, 2004). His secret? Relentless consistency: he spent 14 straight years ranked among the world’s top 10 hurdlers, including four years as No. 1. Off the track, Johnson’s resilience shone through adversity—he competed blind in his left eye, a staggering feat in a sport demanding razor-sharp spatial awareness.

But Johnson’s legacy isn’t just about medals. After retiring in 2010, he pivoted to coaching, starting as a volunteer at South Carolina before climbing the ranks. At the Air Force Academy (2011–2014), he turned the 4x400m relay team into Mountain West champions. Three stints at Kentucky (2014–2016) and NC State (2016–2022) followed, where he mentored Olympians like Gabriele Cunningham and NCAA standouts. In 2022, he took the helm as director of track and field at North Carolina A&T, overseeing six programs and cementing his role as a visionary leader.

When it comes to Roberts, Allen isn’t just coaching him—he’s curating a legacy. From Olympic glory to nurturing the next generation, Johnson proves that greatness isn’t just about speed; it’s about teaching others to fly. And for Daniel Roberts, that baton now includes competing in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, where he placed 4th in the 2025 Kingston Slam 110m hurdles.