KEN JOHNSON, '88

 Entering his third season at Tennessee and ninth year as a member of Bruce Pearl’s staff is Ken Johnson. Johnson and Pearl first joined forces in 1999 when Johnson came to the University of Southern Indiana as an assistant coach, and the relationship continued when Pearl moved to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In the seven seasons Johnson has assisted Pearl, their teams have combined to post a 159-56 record. “It is really important to surround young people with good role models,” Pearl said. “Ken is a very hard worker who genuinely cares about these kids. He has been with me longer than anyone on my staff and he knows how I expect things to be done. He sets the bar high for our student-athletes and provides them with the guidance and support they require to be successful.” Johnson has seen the Vols succeed both on the court and in the classroom. In 2006-07 UT won the second-most games in school history while advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, seven Vols were named to the 2006-07 SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll for their work in the classroom. At UWM, Johnson was responsible for working with the Panthers post players while also scouting opponents. During those four seasons the Panthers posted an 86-38 record and received three postseason invitations, including a trip to the 2005 NCAA Tournament in which they advanced to the Sweet 16. Johnson spent two seasons at USI as an assistant coach where he was responsible for video breakdown, scouting of opposing teams and individual player development. During those two seasons the Screaming Eagles posted a 51-10 record, won a Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and made two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. USI earned No. 1 rankings in both of Johnson’s seasons and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Prior to joining Pearl’s coaching staff at USI, Johnson spent two seasons as an assistant coach of the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association. Coach Johnson was an all-city basketball player at Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California. Upon high school graduation in 1988, Johnson began his collegiate playing career at Southwestern Oregon Community College where he was named to the all-freshman team in his rookie season. He later earned all-region honors as a sophomore at Salt Lake Community College. He then moved to Albertson College of Idaho where he garnered NAIA District II All-Conference honors. A 1993 graduate of Albertson College with a degree in physical education, he helped lead Albertson to a NAIA District II championship and played for the 1991 NAIA National Championship. Johnson and his wife, Amber, have two daughters, Makenzee Ruth and new baby Kenly Jade.