CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Ratcliff announced the addition of Lexi Johnson as the new head coach of the women's golf program on Thursday. Johnson takes over for Whitney Hocutt, who is stepping down at the end of the season and transitioning full-time to the RSU Foundation as the new Director of Development.
 
"When we launched this national search, we had a clear vision for the kind of coach we wanted to lead our program—someone with a track record of success as a head coach and former student-athlete, a commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes, a true teacher of the game, and a person of outstanding character," said Dr. Ratcliff. "We found all of that in Lexi. From our very first conversation, I knew Lexi was the right choice. She is an ideal fit for the culture that has been built within our nationally ranked women's golf team, and I am thrilled she is going to be a Hillcat."
 
Johnson arrives on the Hill after four seasons as the Head Golf Coach at Owasso High School. With the Rams, she has built a program that has had sustained success throughout her tenure. Her team has consistently finished in the top six in the state, including finishing as high as fourth. Over the last four years, OHS has compiled over 15 top 3 finishes with two tournament wins. Johnson has coached one player to All-State honors in 2022 and has had four players sign to continue their careers at the collegiate level. Her teams are also just as successful in the classroom as they were named 2022 Academic State Champions.
 
"I am really excited to join a program with so many accomplishments and a strong foundation," said Johnson. "Coach Hocutt has done an amazing job at building a culture of excellence, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on that. My goal is to help student-athletes succeed on and off the golf course and keep growing a winning program that we can all be proud of."
 
Johnson is no stranger to the MIAA, as she began her coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Northeastern State for two years after a successful career as a student-athlete in Tahlequah. As team captain, she was a multi-time All-MIAA selection and led NSU to four-straight MIAA titles, 13 team wins and an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championships. She finished fifth at the 2018 MIAA Championships and later that season finished ninth at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships.
 
She holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics for NSU as well as a Master's Degree in Math Education.
 
"I am excited for Lexi Johnson to be the next coach at RSU," said Hocutt. "She is a proven winner, and I know she will come in and be ready. I had the opportunity to watch her from a distance as a player and assistant coach at NSU, and as the head girls coach in Owasso. She has great team values and knows the importance of player development on and off the golf course. Lexi and her family will be a great addition on the Hill."
 
Transitioning to her new role with the RSU Foundation, Hocutt has laid an impressive foundation and has built the women's golf program into a perennial powerhouse in the MIAA and the region with five-straight appearances in the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships and three National Championship appearances and 13 team tournament wins.
 
"What can I say about Whitney," added Ratcliff. "She is an incredible person and a true friend. She has elevated our women's golf program into one of the premier programs in the nation year after year. But more importantly, she's been someone I could always count on, always the first to step up, lend a hand, and offer support whenever it was needed. While we are certainly going to miss her in our department, I could not be more thrilled for her as she steps into this next chapter. I have no doubt that great things lie ahead for her because of the person she is. Whitney is loyal, hardworking, compassionate, fiercely competitive, and deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others."
 
Hocutt has been recognized by her peers with two MIAA Coach of the Year Awards and the 2022 WGCA Central Region Coach of the Year Award. She has also coached two All-Americans, eight All-Region selections, and 15 all-conference honorees.