Chris Johnson rounds out the University of Arkansas women’s basketball staff, announced head coach Jimmy Dykes today.
Johnson was added to the staff as an assistant coach, joining Christy Smith, who was hired earlier this week, and Tari Cummings who is beginning her third season with the program.
“It feels great to add Chris to our staff,” Dykes said. “He has a passion for the game and is committed to helping the Razorback women’s basketball program reach new heights. Chris has the total package. He is a proven recruiter and is a good x’s and o’s coach. I’m looking forward to working with him.
“Our staff is taking shape,” Dykes continued. “It was important to take my time in selecting the right people to be a part of what we are trying to build at Arkansas. I know that when we run out of the tunnel next year, everyone on my staff and the team are working toward a common goal and will fight for each other.”
Prior to joining the Razorbacks, Johnson was as assistant coach at TCU with his main responsibilities focused on recruiting, academic monitoring, on the court coaching, scouting and game preparation.
Johnson has made his presence known for the Frogs during his first two years on campus on the recruiting trail, helping the TCU land two four-star rated recruits in 2012-13 as well as two ESPNU 100 signees. Under Johnson’s watch, Latricia Lovings wrapped-up play third overall in the NCAA in blocked shots per game during the 2012-13 campaign, averaging 3.63 blocks per contest, while becoming just one of four players in the Big 12 to rank in the top-10 in rebounding and in the top-5 in blocked shots.
In 2011-12, he helped Lovings end the year ranked No. 25 in the NCAA in blocked shots per game. Lovings’ also ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West in blocks, wrapping-up play with a team-leading 68 blocks, which ranked fifth all-time in program history for blocked shots in a single-season. Under Johnson’s watch, TCU closed the year ranking No. 9 in the NCAA in blocked shots per game.
Johnson came to TCU following a one-year stint as head girls basketball coach at Lutheran High School-North in Houston. Johnson guided the Lady Lions to 20 victories on the year and a second round playoff appearance.
Johnson, who spent three successful years as an assistant coach at Westside High School, has been a mainstay in club basketball in the Houston area. Since 2008, Johnson has been both the executive director and head coach of Cyfair Premier Basketball, which is widely considered one of the top AAU programs in the state of Texas. During his time as director and coach, Johnson had numerous players ranked in the top 100 in the country, with nearly every player going on to play women’s basketball at the collegiate level.
The Houston native, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business and Spanish from Houston Baptist in 2003, was a two-time All-America honoree at HBU, while leading the Huskies to consecutive Red River Conference Championships and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament.
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