Jermaine Johnson, who has spent the last three seasons on the sidelines as an assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin, has been elevated to the role of associate head coach.
Since joining the Skyhawk program in 2014, Johnson has helped UT Martin post three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history. In that span, the Skyhawks have won their first two OVC West division championships (2016, 2017) and generated five postseason wins – becoming the only OVC program to win at least one postseason game in each of the last three seasons.
“One of my top priorities this off-season was to reward Jermaine with this promotion,” said UT Martin head coach Anthony Stewart. “He has earned his new title with his player development skills, attention to detail and his ability to relate to our student-athletes. Jermaine possesses an elite basketball IQ and I am glad to have him on our side.”
Last season, the Skyhawks equaled a school record with 22 victories while setting new single-season records for points (2,693), field goals (966), rebounds (1,312) and assists (555). UT Martin advanced to the OVC Tournament championship for the second straight year and won its first outright OVC West division title. The Skyhawks also generated the most home wins (14) and non-conference victories (10) for UT Martin since the school joined the Division-I ranks in 1992.
Johnson helped the Skyhawks to 20 wins and their first OVC Tournament championship game for the first time in school history in 2015-16. UT Martin reeled off an eight-game OVC winning streak for only the second time in program history en route to a share of the OVC West title.
In Johnson’s first season as an assistant in 2014-15, UT Martin won 21 games – including three road victories on its way to a Final Four appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. The Skyhawks led the nation with 12 road victories and notched the first three postseason victories in the school’s Division-I era.
“I am elated and humbled to be given this promotion,” Johnson said. “I would like to thank Coach Stewart for having the utmost confidence in me and allowing me to be involved in every aspect of our program. I’m looking forward to carrying out the mission of our great university and the vision of Coach Stewart’s game plan for success. I am super excited about where our program is heading, as we continue to empower our student-athletes on and off the court.”
