Austin Johnson, who has been a graduate assistant coach at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., for the past two seasons, is the new assistant men’s basketball coach at Lewis-Clark State College.
Johnson joins coach Tim Walker’s staff and has been instrumental in bringing in seven recruits during the summer for the 2010-11 season.
“We’re thrilled Austin decided to join our staff,” Walker said. “He has some exceptional qualities, and has really fit in well. Austin was a successful player, student, and coach, and has brought that work ethic, character, and integrity with him to our program. As Austin’s duties expand, so will his role with our program. We’re glad he has joined us.”
While as a graduate assistant coach with the Leathernecks, Johnson’s duties included film exchange, video editing, scouting, recruiting, and on-floor instruction. Last season, WIU posted its most wins in 12 seasons and ranked 10th in the NCAA in fewest points allowed per game.
Johnson was hired by WIU after a brief stay as a volunteer assistant coach at Odessa Junior College in Texas.
Johnson earned his Master’s in Sports Management at WIU after graduating from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing.
He is the fourth of five children to David and Gayle Johnson and grew up in Wichita, Kan. After high school he enrolled at Butler Community College and redshirted his freshman year on the basketball team. He then transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan where he was a starter his final two seasons. He wound up with 1,207 career points and made more than 250 3-pointers. He was captain of the team his senior season and helped the squad to 26-8 record, its best ever, and its first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament where the team advanced to the Sweet 16 round.
Johnson was a two-time all-Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference selection and was chosen Oklahoma Wesleyan’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2008. He also earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors and made the Dean’s List at OWU.
Johnson is active in volunteer/ministry work with both the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. He has worked at a number of basketball camps, including ones at Texas, Bradley, South Florida, Drake, and Wyoming, as well as smaller camps throughout the Midwest.
Johnson was hired by WIU after a brief stay as a volunteer assistant coach at Odessa Junior College in Texas.
Johnson earned his Master’s in Sports Management at WIU after graduating from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing.
He is the fourth of five children to David and Gayle Johnson and grew up in Wichita, Kan. After high school he enrolled at Butler Community College and redshirted his freshman year on the basketball team. He then transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan where he was a starter his final two seasons. He wound up with 1,207 career points and made more than 250 3-pointers. He was captain of the team his senior season and helped the squad to 26-8 record, its best ever, and its first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament where the team advanced to the Sweet 16 round.
Johnson was a two-time all-Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference selection and was chosen Oklahoma Wesleyan’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2008. He also earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors and made the Dean’s List at OWU.
Johnson is active in volunteer/ministry work with both the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. He has worked at a number of basketball camps, including ones at Texas, Bradley, South Florida, Drake, and Wyoming, as well as smaller camps throughout the Midwest.
