The University of Arkansas at Monticello head men’s basketball coach Kyle Tolin welcomed the addition of Kris Johnson to fulfill an assistant coach role with the Weevil Basketball program.
Johnson, who is no stranger to the Great American Conference, joins UAM after spending seven years with the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Kris was last appointed as the Interim Head Coach of SWOSU during the 2017-18 season as well.
“I am incredibly thrilled for the opportunity to come to UAM, and help Coach Tolin continue building the success of this program,” Johnson said. “I am also very thankful of the university for allowing me the chance to be a part of this fantastic community as well!”
Prior to taking over head coaching responsibilities, he served as the main assistant at Southwestern from 2013 through 2017. Johnson was also a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball program at SWOSU from 2011 to 2013 as well.
In four seasons as a full-time assistant at SWOSU, Johnson has helped guide the Bulldogs to three winning seasons, with at least 16 victories each year. SWOSU finished 17-12 in 2015-16, finishing fourth in the Great American Conference standings before being eliminated from the GAC Tournament in the quarterfinals.
During his five years at SWOSU, Johnson has coached eight players who have earned all-conference honors, including one conference player of the year and two defensive players of the year. The Bulldogs have also had two players named to the GAC All-Tournament Team and 12 earn GAC All-Academic distinction.
He helped anchor a Southwestern team that finished the 2014-15 season by reaching the semifinals of the GAC Tournament after knocking off regular season GAC Champion Ouachita Baptist in the opening round.
In his first season as a full-time assistant at SWOSU, Johnson helped lead the program to a finish of 17-10 overall with a 14-6 record in conference action that earned a second place in the Great American Conference.
Johnson spent the previous two years as a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs, helping the team earn two GAC Tournament appearances, including a spot in the inaugural championship game in 2012. He also spent two years as the graduate assistant at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State, where he helped guide the Rangers to a 20-win season in 2011.
A native of Kansas City, Mo., Johnson played in two NAIA National Tournaments for Northwestern. After a four-year playing career and playing in 109 games, he helped lead his 2006-2007 team to an Elite Eight finish, finishing his playing career with a record of 77-49, including two 20 win seasons. Johnson also earned a prestigious distinction by being selected as the 2009 NAIA Champions of Character award winner.
Additionally, he served as Northwestern’s Student Government President during the 2008-09 school year and worked as the Sports Information assistant for two seasons. Prior to attending Northwestern, Coach Johnson attended Ruskin High School, where he was a recipient of the 2004 NAIA Champions of Character Award and an all-conference performer.
Johnson holds two degrees from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications in May of 2009 and a master’s degree in Adult Education Management and Administration in May of 2011.
“I’m very excited for Kris to be joining our staff and be a part of UAM Basketball,” head coach Kyle Tolin discussed. “He has a wealth of knowledge about this conference, and will be a tremendous asset to our program going forward.”
