UA assistant gets head coaching job

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Phil Johnson

Five days after Utah clobbered Arizona in the Elite Eight, San Jose State named UA assistant coach Phil Johnson head coach of the Spartans, announced during a press conference at the university yesterday afternoon.

Johnson replaces Stan Morrison, who resigned after nine years with the program. The new coach agreed to a four-year contract.

"This is a good time for me (to become a head coach)," Johnson said. "Becoming a Division I head coach was the ultimate goal of mine since I got into coaching."

Johnson has been an assistant for the Wildcats for the past five seasons, playing a vital role in Arizona's national championship run last season. To his credit, the Wildcats are 133-35 during his stay, including two Pacific 10 Conference championships and two Final Four appearances.

Johnson came to Arizona with impressive credentials. The 39-year-old arrived at the UA after spending two successful seasons as an assistant coach at New Orleans.

"He will bring a winning attitude to (San Jose State's) program," UA assistant coach Rodney Tention said.

A head coach by the age of 26, Johnson has coached at his alma mater, East Central University in Ada, Okla., Northern Oklahoma College and Seminoe Junior College. Johnson moved on to his first Division I coaching job in 1991 at Tulsa, where he stayed on as an assistant for one season.

His latest move did not come as a huge surprise with individuals associated with the program.

"I am extremely happy for Phil because I know how hard he has worked to get to this point in his career," UA head coach Lute Olson said.

This is the second coach to depart from the Wildcat team over the past two seasons. At the conclusion of last season, assistant coach Jesse Evans took the head coaching job at Southwestern Louisiana State.

"We learned with the loss of coach Evans that you've got to move on," senior forward Michael Dickerson said. "This is a business. If something good comes along you've got to go for it."

His work with big men has contributed to Johnson's success as a coach over his career.

"The UA's going to take a loss, because he was probably the biggest reason our big men have developed so well over the four years I've been here," Dickerson said.

"During his time here, he has helped develop some of the better big men this program has produced," Olson said.

Johnson will have his hands full with the Spartans. San Jose State has had only one winning season over the past 11 years. Last season, the Spartans made the WAC cellar their home, going 1-13 in conference play and 3-23 overall.

"Our goal is to be competitive in the WAC quickly," Johnson said.