2010-11 Women's Basketball Media Guide - University of Denver ...

HEAD COACH ERIK JOHNSON
erik JOHNSON
Head Coach • Third Season
San Jose, Calif.
UC San Diego (1994), Rhode Island (1997)
After his second season at the helm of the Denver
women’s basketball program, head coach Erik
Johnson has compiled the 24th winning season
in Pioneer women’s basketball history as Denver
finished 18-13 overall and 12-6 in conference
play.
In his second season coaching the Pioneers,
Johnson helped the team finish second in
the nation in field-goal percentage and led
Denver to the Sun Belt Conference tournament
quarterfinals.
Johnson earned the first win of his head coaching
career on Nov. 2 , 2008 as Denver defeated
UC Davis 64-50 in Hamilton Gymnasium. The
2008-09 season was also highlighted by Denver’s
first-ever win over Western Kentucky, (66-
50), a 9-block performance against Arkansas
State ( /7/09) that tied an NCAA record and a
quarterfinal berth in the SBC Tournament.
THE JOHNSON FILE
Education
California-San Diego ( 994) – B.A. Psychology, Minor
Teaching
Rhode Island ( 997) – M.A. Adult Education,
Specialization Physical Education
Coaching Experience
2008-Present: University of Denver, Head Coach
2005-08: Boston College, Assistant Coach
2002-05: San Diego, Associate Head Coach
998-02: San Diego, Assistant Coach
995-98: Rhode Island, Assistant Coach
994-95: Rhode Island, Volunteer Assistant Coach
Playing Experience
Four-year letter winner on the UC-San Diego
basketball team ( 990- 994)
Team captain ( 994)
Three NCAA Tournament appearances, including
a Division III Sweet Sixteen
Set career and single-season record for
three-point shots made
Team captain for eight-game tour of China and
Hong Kong ( 993)
Personal
Birthday: October 4, 97
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Family: Wife, Laura; Daughters, Daly (7) and
Avery (5); Son, Davis (3)
The Pioneers concluded their first
season under Coach Johnson in the
semifinals of the SBC Tournament,
falling to Arkansas-Little Rock 70-60
in a double-overtime thriller.
Johnson came to DU after serving as
an assistant coach at Boston College
of the Atlantic Coast Conference for
three seasons. While at BC, Johnson
assisted head coach Cathy Inglese, as
the Eagles advanced to the Sweet 6
of the NCAA Tournament in 2006
and finished with a 21-11 record.
Johnson helped guide a young 2007-
08 BC team to a 2 - 2 record and to
the quarterfinals of the WNIT.
His responsibilities included overseeing
the recruitment of student-athletes to
Boston College, developing the
guards and perimeter players, devising the
defensive strategy, scouting opponents and
breaking down and analyzing postgame
film.
Before BC, Johnson spent seven seasons
as a member of the coaching staff at the
University of San Diego of the West Coast
Conference, first as an assistant (1998-
2002) and then as associate head coach
(2002-05).
While with the Toreros, Johnson specialized
in player development with a focus on
post players. He was also responsible for
coordinating all aspects of recruiting,
scouting opponents and fundraising.
During his tenure, San Diego won the 2000
WCC title and appeared in the subsequent
NCAA Tournament.
Prior to his post in San Diego, Johnson was a
volunteer assistant ( 994-95) and assistant
( 995-98) at the University of Rhode
Island. While there, the Rams were the
996 Atlantic 0 East Division Champions and
appeared in that year’s NCAA Tournament.
Johnson graduated from the University of
California-San Diego in 994 with a degree
in psychology and a minor in teaching. He
helped the Tritons to three NCAA Division III
Tournaments, including a trip to the Sweet 6
in the 990-9 season. He received a master’s
degree in adult education with an area of
specialization in physical education from the
University of Rhode Island in 997.
Johnson and his wife, Laura, have two daughters,
Daly (8) and Avery (6). Their son, Davis (4)
passed away unexpectedly on May 6.
0 www.DenverPioneers.com