The Saint Augustine’s University athletic department officially named MarQus Johnson as its head men’s basketball coach on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
Johnson was elevated to head coach after two seasons as assistant men’s basketball coach at Saint Augustine’s University from 2012 to 2014. Prior to returning to SAU, Johnson was head coach of the Cary Invasion, a semi-professional basketball team based in Cary, N.C. Under his guidance, the Invasion was 22-5 in two seasons and won the Continental Basketball League (CBL) regular season and tournament championship. The Invasion was also runner-up in the Tobacco Road Basketball League (TRBL). He was previously an assistant coach at Saint Augustine’s University from 2008 to 2010 before heading to the Cary Invasion.
"He has been a faithful assistant under Coach [Lonnie] Blow twice and Coach [Tony] Sheals once," said SAU Athletic Director and legendary Track & Field Head Coach George Williams. "I think it’s time to give him his due and see where he can take the program. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead."
Johnson is well-known in the Triangle area. A Knightdale, N.C., native, he was an assistant coach at North Carolina Central University and Shaw University in addition to Saint Augustine’s University. Johnson has a stellar reputation for developing positive relationships with the student-athletes.
"I am honored and humbled while also being appreciative of the opportunity that Saint Augustine’s University [Interim] President Dr. [Everett B.] Ward and Coach Williams have given me," said Johnson. "I will work diligently and with great passion to take this program to new heights. Our goal will be to recruit young men who not only value the opportunity to play collegiate basketball but also have a sense of urgency in every aspect of winning. When I say winning, I mean on the court, in the community and, most importantly, in the classroom."
Johnson was an assistant coach on the SAU men’s basketball team which captured its second CIAA championship in school history during the 2009-2010 season. That squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament and earned a national top 25 ranking.
Before coming to SAU the first time, Johnson was an assistant coach at North Carolina Central and Shaw. At NCCU, seven of Johnson’s recruits earned All-CIAA honors including David Young, who was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2004 NBA Draft. At Shaw, Johnson coached one All-CIAA player.
Johnson was a standout basketball player at NCCU from 1996 to 2000 where he held the title of team captain for three consecutive years. He helped lead the Eagles to three CIAA division titles where he was a prolific three-point shooter. Johnson graduated from NCCU with a B.S. degree in recreational administration in 2000.
As a prep player, Johnson starred at East Wake High School in Wendell, N.C., where he was an all-state basketball performer. He is the school’s all-time scoring leader with 1,577 points.
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