Caldwell University President Matthew Whelan, Ed.D and Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Mark A. Corino have announced the promotion of long-time assistant coach Dean Johnson as the next head coach for the men’s basketball program effective immediately.
“I am pleased to announce that Dean Johnson, a 30-year member of the Caldwell family and long-time softball coach and assistant basketball coach has accepted the position of head coach of the Men’s Basketball program,” said Whelan. “Dean has a firm understanding of the priority we place on our student-athletes as ‘students first’. Coach Johnson also has a firm understanding and belief in the University’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Community, and Excellence and will make these values an integral part of the student-athlete experience at Caldwell. I wish him and the team much luck as we prepare for the season and look forward to seeing them in action!”
“As we move forward, we are fortunate to have my colleague and long-time assistant Dean Johnson be promoted to lead the men’s basketball program,” said Corino. “His extensive basketball experience and knowledge will provide stability for the program under his leadership. We are excited for him to continue to build on the successful foundation of the program and to maintain our connection with our alumni of the past.”
Johnson joined the men’s basketball staff in the 1990-91 season an as assistant coach and has been part of the men’s basketball coaching staff for 30 years. Johnson also is the Associate Director of Athletics and the head softball coach at Caldwell.
“I would like to thank President, Dr. Matthew Whelan, Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Mark Corino and the Dominican Sisters for this great opportunity,” said Johnson. “To be named the head men’s basketball coach is really a great opportunity, and I am looking forward to the upcoming season. I am very excited about the young talent that Coach Joe Scott and Coach Ed Ryan and myself have brought to the University. I am hopeful that I can maintain the level of success that Coach Corino has established during his run as head coach here at Caldwell. Replacing a NJ basketball “legend” will not be easy but it is a challenge that myself and my staff are looking forward to taking on. I really look forward to connecting with all the basketball alumni who have played here and hopefully they will be back on campus to support the program. I want to also thank all the basketball coaches who were part of my high school and college career, those who have guided me and taught me so much. I hope to bring this to the Caldwell University men’s basketball program. Thank you to my parents as well, if it was not for them, this opportunity would not be available to me.”
With Johnson on staff, the Cougars have reached the NCAA Division II Tournament twice since moving to NCAA status in 2002. The Cougars have won six CACC Championships during his time on the staff along with an NAIA District 31 finals appearance in 1992. Johnson’s commitment to Caldwell was recognized in 2008, when he received the prestigious Caldwell Cup from then-Caldwell President Sister Patrice Werner.
Johnson came to Caldwell in 1990 after coaching on the high school and college levels and has extensive experience as a men’s basketball player and coach over his four decades around basketball. He served as an assistant coach for the 1988-89 University of New England’s men’s basketball team that won a school-record 24 games with the team being inducted into the UNE Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. Johnson was a standout player for UNE from 1982-86, totaling 1,442 points and 541 assists in his career. He ranks in the top-15 in scoring and third in assists. Johnson was inducted into th UNE Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 for his outstanding playing career.
A native of Belgrade Lakes, Maine, Johnson attended the UNE in Biddeford, Maine, where he left as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Johnson graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education. He earned a Master’s degree from Caldwell University in 1997.
