Southern Utah University head men’s basketball coach Todd Simon has announced the addition of Andy Johnson to the Thunderbird coaching staff.
“We could not be more excited to add coach Johnson to our staff. He is a selfless blue collar worker that has proven to be an excellent role model and teacher for his players,” Simon said. “Coach Johnson comes from a storied Findlay Prep program that strongly focused on player development. His pedigree and success speaks for itself. His addition strengthens our program from day one.”
Johnson comes to SUU after spending two years as the head coach of the Findlay Prep Basketball Program from 2014 to 2016. Johnson led the Findlay Prep Pilots to a 57–5 record, including two appearances in the National High School Tournament, and a Final 4 appearance in 2015. During the 2015-2016 campaign, the Pilots set multiple program records, including team grade point average (3.49), assists per game (20.3), field goal percentage (58%), and points per game (98.8).
“I’m very excited to be joining the Southern Utah Thunderbird family” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to learning and working with coach Simon, his great staff, and a great group of student athletes. It’s an exciting time to be a SUU Thunderbird.”
From 2009-2014, Johnson spent five seasons as an Assistant Coach for Findlay Prep and was promoted to Associate Head Coach for the 2013-2014 season. During Johnson’s tenure at Findlay Prep, Johnson coached nine McDonald’s All-Americans and 34 Division I college signees from 11 different countries. The Pilots accumulated an overall record of 215-18, qualified for the National High School Tournament seven straight seasons, advanced to five Final 4 National High School Tournament Appearances, and won two National High School Tournament Championships (2010 and 2012).
During his career, Johnson has helped develop and coach several top NBA Draft picks including Anthony Bennett, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 NBA Draft, Tristan Thompson, who was taken No. 4 overall by the Cavaliers in 2011, Kelly Oubre Jr., who was taken No. 15 overall by the Washington Wizards in 2015, and Rashad Vaughn, who was taken No. 17 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015. Other NBA players Johnson coached include Cory Joseph, Nick Johnson, and Christian Wood.
Johnson was also a video assistant at UNLV from 2005-2009 under head coach Lon Kruger, where the Rebels won the 2007 and 2008 Mountain West Conference Tournaments advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007. From 2007-2010, Johnson worked as a video assistant for the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team. From 2006-2010 and in 2012, Johnson worked as a Team Assistant for the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League.
Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in University Studies from UNLV in 2009. He earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from UNLV in 2011. A native of Batavia, IL, Johnson is married to the former Jordan Veenstra.
