Indiana State University Athletics

Tim Johnson was announced as assistant coach by head coach Matthew Graves on May 13, 2024.

In his time as an assistant coach, Tim Johnson has been a part of seven 20-win seasons, three NCAA tournaments, and five post season berths, including a trip to the NCAA Round of 32 in 2023. 

Johnson did his previous stint as an assistant coach at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. During his five seasons, he helped the Paladin program to over 21 wins per season, a Southern Conference tournament championship, and its first NCAA Tournament berth in over 43 years during the 2022-2023 season.

"I am thrilled to be able to add Tim Johnson to the Sycamore Basketball program," said Graves. "He embodies everything I was looking for in a coach with his energy, passion, and ability to connect with student-athletes both on and off the court. Tim's experience as a productive D1 player at Wofford and the coaches he has worked under in his career will give our program a significant boost."

Johnson played a pivotal role in the ascension of the Furman Paladins to national prominence, helping the Paladins to a 108-52 (.675) overall record and a 62-25 (.712) ledger in Southern Conference action. During his tenure in Greenville, Johnson helped produce seven all-conference players, including 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year, Jalen Slawson.  

Johnson worked directly with Slawson, serving as his position coach and player development guide. During the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, Jalen Slawson was selected 54th pick by the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first player to be drafted to the NBA from Furman since 1984. During the 2022-23 season, Johnson helped the Paladins notch a school-record 28 victories, highlighted by an 88-79 triumph over Chattanooga in the SoCon Championship game and a 68-67 victory over No. 4 seed Virginia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Orlando, Fla. 

Johnson has earned the reputation as a relentless recruiter, and during his time in Greenville, he served as the lead recruiter for the 2023 Southern Conference Tournament MVP, JP Pegues. Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., Pegues was a First Team All-Conference selection during the 2023-24 season, scoring over 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, and 300 assists in just three years at Furman. 

"I am extremely thankful to Coach Graves for allowing me to serve on his staff here at Indiana State University," said Coach Johnson. "He is a tremendous leader with a special vision for ISU Basketball. The transition here has been seamless as this program values developing people, winning, and achieving at an extremely high level. Coach Graves and I share a true alignment in values and a sincere love of our families. I couldn't imagine a better time to be a Sycamore! Our family is thrilled to be a part of ISU and the Terre Haute community!"

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Johnson spent two years at James Madison, finishing the 2017-18 season as the No. 2 defensive team in the conference (CAA). The program also saw a win increase by 30% in each season during his time at James Madison. Johnson was the lead recruiter for Julien Wooden, who would finish as the programs all-time leader in games played (146) and wins (91). Wooden would finish with 1136 career points, joining JMU’s historic 1000 point club. 

Prior to his time in Harrisburg, Johnson had a four-year stint in Spartanburg, S.C. at his alma mater, Wofford College. During his time at Wofford, Johnson recruited several key Terriers, including All-SoCon selection, Nathan Hoover (‘20), and the future 2x All-ACC selection, Keve Aluma (‘19, ‘20).

During his tenure at Wofford, Johnson helped the Terriers capture back-to-back Southern Conference titles and make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015. The 2015 squad posted a then school-record 28 overall wins and 16 SoCon victories.

A 2016 inductee into the Wofford Athletics Hall of Fame and the first Terrier to total a record-breaking 1,000 career rebounds, Johnson paced the Terriers to SoCon titles and NCAA Tournament appearances as a junior and senior. During his senior season in 2011, the two-time All-SoCon choice led the league by grabbing 8.5 rebounds per game to power Wofford to a 21-13 record.  As a junior in 2010, he recorded 7.9 rebounds per contest as Wofford fashioned a 26-9 mark and earned its first NCAA Tournament berth. Johnson would finish his career as the all-time leading rebounder in Wofford College history at 1,002 rebounds. 

Following graduation, Johnson served as a graduate assistant coach at Wyoming for two seasons. He helped lead the Cowboys to consecutive postseason appearances and mentored forward Larry Nance Jr., who was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Johnson graduated from Wofford with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2011. The three-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll member earned his Master’s in Communication from Wyoming in 2013. Johnson is married to the former Brittany English and the couple has a son, Westin, and two daughters, Londyn and Jasmin.