Bio

As a champion of the world, there are not many things that Jhett Johnson hasn’t seen in the rodeo arena. However, the world of rodeo is an ever-changing, ever-moving freight train. If one isn’t prepared to jump on opportunities, they’ll be left behind. Three years ago, Johnson jumped on the opportunity to give back to the rodeo community by coaching the next generation. It didn’t take him long to figure out what it takes to be a great coach. He, like Head Coach Tom Parker, thoroughly enjoys watching his athletes improve and win. 

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and pressures his athletes to succeed in school as much as possible. His interest in the human brain helps him to understand the members on his team and their personalities. Because he’s a champion in the arena, he can apply that knowledge to help their mental game. “I’m very strong-minded, and I try to get the guys strong-minded,” Johnson says. “You have to be mentally strong.” 

That strength of mind has brought Johnson five Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) qualifications, an average title there, a world championship, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money in and out of the professional circuit. Because of his past success, he was recently invited to be a part of the newest professional rodeo organization, the Elite Rodeo Association (ERA).

He says, “It’s kind of the next generation of rodeo, so I didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity to do it.” Johnson thinks the ERA will be around for a while and is glad to be a part of it. “The ERA is going to be a spot where there’s more money and less traveling.”

Because of the induction into the association, he’s rodeoing more this year than in recent years. He stays busy juggling the rodeos with coaching his college team, alongside coaching his own boys. His oldest son, Kellan, will be old enough to rodeo professionally with his dad next year. Johnson plans to help Kellan fill his permit. Meanwhile, his other boys, Carson and Kress, continue to improve their roping. 

Johnson hopes the ERA will open doors for his team and his sons. “It’s harder to earn your spot, but if you ever get to that level and get that invitation, it’s awesome.” 

Another experience the Casper coach has found to be rewarding in his three years working for the college is “picking up” at rough stock practice. When Johnson is done rodeoing and raising his boys, he “wouldn’t mind having a team of nice horses and going and picking up at some major rodeos.” 

It’s all in a day’s work. No matter how experienced Jhett Johnson is, he is always keeping his eye out for a new opportunity. What a great asset to the Thunderbird team.