Following-up on something that HoopDirt.com first mentioned back on March 8th (D3 DIRT). Brad Johnson has officially been tabbed as the head men’s basketball coach at D3 Bethany College. Here’s the release from the school:

Brad Johnson has been named the new head men’s basketball coach at Bethany College and marks the 29th head coach in program history.  

“We are excited to welcome Brad to the Bethany College family. It was important to find a coach who was committed to leading our men’s basketball program back to PAC success while embracing the Bethany community as a whole,” says Director of Athletics Brian Sansom. “Brad’s enthusiasm and dedication to his student-athletes were apparent during the interview process, and our program will benefit from his developmental approach. I am confident that Brad will bring back the Bethany College men’s basketball tradition of excellence both on the court and in the classroom in the near future.”  

“It is a great honor to be named the next head men’s basketball coach at Bethany College,” says Johnson. “I would like to thank President Dr. Jamie Caridi, Director of Athletics Brian Sansom, and the rest of the selection committee at Bethany College for entrusting me with this opportunity. Lastly, I would like to thank Dale Wellman at Nebraska Wesleyan for believing in and supporting me throughout the last two years. I could not have made it to this point without his mentorship.” 

Johnson comes to Bethany after a two-year stint at Nebraska Wesleyan. Prior to Nebraska Wesleyan, Johnson spent three years at Seton Hill, an NCAA Division II member. In his first two seasons at SHU, the Griffins advanced to the PSAC Tournament once. The team also had three All-PSAC performers. 

Before that, Johnson spent three seasons with the Frostburg State University men’s basketball program. In his first season at Frostburg State, he served as a graduate assistant coach before being named the top assistant coach for his final two years with the program. 

In 2017-18, Johnson helped the Bobcats to eleven wins, the program’s best season record since the 2011-12 season. Additionally, it was the first time in five seasons that the Bobcats made it to the CAC tournament. Johnson coached two CAC All-Conference players and two players who were part of Johnson’s first recruiting class that made contributions to the team’s success.  

In 2016-17, Johnson helped the Bobcats to lead the nation in blocks per game (5.8) and finished seventh nationally in total blocks (146). The Bobcats also finished 17th in Division III in field-goal percentage defense (39.8), 19th in offensive rebounds per game (14.6), and 25th in total rebounds per game (42.24). The Bobcats capped the season by upsetting No. 11 Salisbury 86-80 in overtime on senior day. 

In his first season with the Bobcats, he helped the team to seven wins, including five Capital Athletic Conference victories over Mary Washington, Marymount (Va.), St. Mary’s (Md.), and York (Pa.). Johnson helped the Bobcats finish first in the CAC in rebounds (38.4) and blocks (5.5). FSU also finished fifth in the CAC in three-pointers (162) and fourth in steals (7.4). 

Johnson, a 2015 graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in athletic coaching, went to Frostburg State University after serving as a student assistant coach at BW for four years. He oversaw skill development and ball handling drills, and also helped players with private, individual workouts. Johnson furthered his degree at Frostburg State University, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration. 

Johnson also spent six seasons as a head AAU basketball coach (2011-2016) and in 2012, he founded his own AAU program – the North Coast Runnin’ Rebels. As a head coach and director, he helped develop athletes in fourth through 11th grades. 

“Bethany College is truly a special place with a rich men’s basketball history,” says Johnson. “I am extremely excited to get started and to get involved with the Bethany community and our student-athletes. From the interview process, it was great to see the team already has the passion and commitment to be successful.”