Georgia Southern men’s basketball has added former USC Upstate assistant Nori Johnson to the coaching staff, Bice-Peace Men’s Basketball head coach Charlie Henry announced.
“We’re excited to add Nori Johnson to our staff,” Henry said. “He’s a really bright coach and a great person with great energy about himself. He’s a great guy to have as a part of our staff and can relate with our players very well. He played the game for a long time at a high level and isn’t too far removed from that, and had a successful track record as a head coach at Spartanburg Methodist.”
Johnson joins the Eagles after spending a year with the Spartans and six seasons as the head coach of Spartanburg Methodist.
“I want to thank Coach Henry for the opportunity to join his staff and this program,” Johnson said. “I love what Charlie is building here and am beyond excited to be a part of it. Georgia Southern is a place with great support and tradition and you can feel that on campus and in the Statesboro community.”
At Spartanburg Methodist College, Johnson led the program to 100 victories and four NJCAA Region 10 top-three regular season finishes. Over his six seasons helming the Pioneers’ program, he helped 14 student-athletes earn NCAA scholarships while coaching six All-Region 10 players.
During the 2022-23 season, Johnson led SMC to its second-straight NJCAA Division I Atlantic District Semifinals appearance, winning 21 games. It was the third time during his tenure that the Pioneers reached the 21-win mark.
His first 20-win season leading the Pioneers came during his first season in 2017-18 as he led the program to a 21-8 record and an 11-1 mark in Region 10, earning a first-round bye in the District Tournament. For his efforts, Johnson garnered Region 10 Coach of the Year honors.
Before taking over atop the SMC program, Johnson spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Pioneers. Over the two seasons, the Pioneers won 55 total games, advancing to the NJCAA Division I Championship, and winning the Region 10 District Tournament in both seasons.
Aside from his coaching duties at SMC, Johnson coached Upward Stars 3SSB’s 17u team, helping develop elite players from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and coaching several future NBA prospects.
Before beginning his coaching career, Johnson was a four-year letterwinner at the College of Charleston for head coaches Bobby Cremins and Doug Wojcik. Over his four seasons, he appeared in 107 games, scoring 549 points and grabbing 171 boards.
A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of Charleston in 2014.
Johnson bolsters an Eagles staff looking ahead to a big jump in the 2024-25 season.
https://gseagles.com/news/2024/7/8/mens-basketball-adds-nori-johnson-to-coaching-staff.aspx
