Xavier women’s basketball head coach Melanie Moore has named Ryan Johnson as an assistant coach. He joins the Musketeers after eight seasons at Idaho State.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Johnson to our Xavier Women’s Basketball Family!” said Moore. “He is a veteran coach who loves teaching and studying the game. He has done an excellent job of building relationships and recruiting talented student-athletes. While on the sidelines at Northern Colorado and Idaho State, Ryan helped turn both of those programs into winning and postseason teams. He is a great addition to our talented staff.”
Johnson served as associate head coach at Idaho State from 2014-22, helping the team post a 150-97 (95-55 Big Sky) record with three conference championships and three postseason appearances (two WNIT; one NCAA). Last season, the Bengals won their second straight conference championship and advanced to the WNIT.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Xavier women’s basketball program,” said Johnson. “From the moment Coach Moore and I started talking about this position and the basketball program, I saw a ton of potential in this group. I can’t wait to start working with the players and the entire Xavier Basketball Family.”
In eight years at Idaho State, Johnson helped coach 15 All-Big Sky honorees – including four Big Sky Players of the Year (one newcomer of the year; one freshman of the year; two defensive players of the year). Most recently, Tomekia Whitman was named the 2021-22 Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Prior to Idaho State, he worked at Northern Colorado from 2006-14. Johnson helped coach 14 players to all-conference honors and saw the Bears advance to three postseason WNIT Appearances. He also helped coach five players to Big Sky Player of the Year honors (three defensive players of the year; one newcomer of the year; one freshman of the year).
At Northern Colorado, he helped the team go from a five-win season (2006-07 was his first year on staff and the team’s first year in a conference) to a conference championship in 2010-11.
Johnson also spent time on the basketball staffs at Utah State (2005-06) and Colorado State (2004-05).
He also has international coaching experience with the United States Basketball Academy and the Netscouts USA All Stars from 2012-15. His teams played against FIBA world national teams, including a matchup vs the Chinese Olympic Team ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Lakewood, Colo., native, holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw (’95) and master’s degree from Denver (’01).
 | COACHING TIMELINE |
Idaho State – Associate Head Coach – 2014-22
Northern Colorado – Assistant Coach – 2007-14
Northern Colorado – Director of Basketball Operations – 2006-07
Utah State – Graduate Assistant – 2005-06
Colorado State – Director of Basketball Operations – 2004-05
