California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty has appointed Scott L. Johnson as the interim athletic director at Fresno State.

Johnson replaces Al Bohl who last week was named athletic director at the University of Kansas.

Johnson will serve in the interim role until the appointment of the permanent athletic director sometime during the academic year.

“I am extremely pleased that Scott has agreed to serve in the interim role until the selection of the new athletic director,” Welty said. “Scott has an excellent reputation in the community and throughout the university. He has been a major contributor to the program’s growth over the past 20 years. I’m sure he will be able to keep our athletic programs moving ahead as we work to fill this important position.”

Johnson has served as Fresno State’s associate athletic director since 1994. He joined the Fresno State staff in 1981 as sports information director and went on to serve as the assistant athletic director of communication.

He is athletic department liaison for fund raising for the new Save Mart Center and is overseeing the $10 million personal seat license fund-raising campaign. Johnson is co-host of the popular “Dog Talk” call-in radio show on KMJ.

The president will select a 12-member committee to begin a national search for an athletic director. The committee will consist of four persons selected by the president, one academic administrator selected by the president, two faculty members selected by the Academic Senate, the chair of the Department of Kinesiology, two full-time coaches or staff members who report to the director of athletics, one staff member elected from the Staff Assembly and a student.

Johnson started his career in 1972 at Clackamas Community College in Clackamas, Oregon, where he was sports information director and assistant basketball coach from 1972-74. From 1972-76 he was publicity director for the Oregon Community College Athletic Association. In 1976 he was named assistant sports information director at Oregon State University.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree from Fresno State in sports administration.