“We are excited to have Taylor join the Grand Valley State men’s basketball program,” said Wesley. “He is full of energy and ready for this opportunity after gaining valuable experience at both Western Michigan University and North Carolina State.”
Johnson was named a graduate assistant at NC State in 2013. As a member of the Wolfpack staff, his duties included assisting with the coordination of filming practices and games, editing game film and film exchange, opponent scouting and player analysis. With Johnson on staff, NC State advanced to the semifinal of the ACC Tournament and won an NCAA Tournament appearance game in 2014. He assisted in arranging on-campus recruiting activities, as well as tracking student-athletes’ academic progress. Johnson was also an instrumental part in assisting with Mark Gottfried Summer Basketball camps.
“I am excited and humbled to join Coach Wesley’s coaching staff at Grand Valley State,” said Johnson. “Coach Wesley has done an outstanding job at GVSU and I’m blessed to join the Laker family. I can’t wait to get started working with the 2016-17 squad and finding impact players for the future of Laker basketball. I also want to thank coach Gottfried at North Carolina State for the opportunity he gave me to be a part of the Wolfpack men’s basketball program the last three years,” added Johnson.
From 2010-2012, Johnson spent time as the head student manager for the Western Michigan men’s basketball team. During his first season at WMU he worked closely with NC State’s Director of Operations, Jeff Dunlap, as the Broncos compiled a 21-13 season and a MAC West Division title.
Johnson got his start in 2009-2010 as a volunteer student assistant and recruiting coordinator with the men’s basketball team at Southeastern University (NAIA) in Lakeland, Florida. During his tenure at Southeastern, he helped sign five student-athletes, including the school’s first ever Florida Top 50 recruit.
Johnson has coached at multiple basketball camps including Michigan State, Detroit Pistons Year Round Hoops, Oakland University, Nike Florida Elite and Kalamazoo Valley C.C., among many others.
A 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University with honors in organizational communications and business, Johnson received his Masters in Family and Youth Studies from North Carolina State.
Grand Valley State returns nine letter winners and three starters from a team that finished 18-11 overall during the 2015-16 campaign.
