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NC State hired Kevin Keatts from North Carolina Wilmington March 17 to be its 20th men’s basketball head coach, and he quickly brought in his former college teammate Johnson as an assistant coach. Keatts played for Ferrum from 1991-95, while Johnson was with the Panthers from 1989-93.
Johnson was the glue guy at forward and did the little things at Ferrum College, like get the ball to Keatts.
“Kevin Keatts was a scorer and a winner coming in from high school,” Johnson remembered. “You could tell right off he had leadership quality. He was a quarterback on a high school football team that went to the state championship.
“He was a tough kid, could score the ball and he was a leader. He also became a heck of a defensive player.”
The 45-year-old Johnson came from Miami where he served as director of operations the last two years. The former Virginia Tech head coach (22-41 record in two years from 2012-14 ) and assistant coach (2007-12) has extensively recruited the East Coast over the years. He also previously was an assistant coach at George Mason, Penn State, College of Charleston, Elon, Old Dominion and Longwood.
Johnson was also an assistant coach at Hargrave from 1996-97, and Keatts was also an assistant coach there from 1997-99 before starting the first of two stints as head coach. Johnson is excited for this new coaching chapter at NC State, and hopes to aid Keatts in whatever ways are needed.
“Outside of his wife and probably coach Rick Pitino [at Louisville], I was probably one of the next people to know he got hired at NC State,” Johnson said. “It’s like watching your brother walk across the stage at graduation or having his first kid. It’s very prideful, happy and joyful.”
Johnson has been able to soak in the knowledge from Miami head coach Jim Larranaga, both in Coral Gables, Fla., and during their time together at George Mason (2005-07). Johnson was alongside Larranaga when they experienced the joy ride of reaching the 2006 Final Four with George Mason.
“I had a chance to sit back and watch him,” Johnson said. “I just learned a lot of different things with how he looks at the game and how he views things; his knowledge of different situations that come up.
“Those decisions aren’t easy. I know those decisions aren’t easy because I’ve sat in that seat before.”
Johnson’s experiences coaching in the ACC will prove invaluable.
“I don’t know how many coaches can say they’ve been an assistant coach in this league, a head coach in this league and then the director of operations in this league,” Johnson said. “I’ve done a little bit of everything in this league and know it well. I think that will be a tremendous help.”
Coaches live to be on the road recruiting and that is another welcome return for Johnson. The winter of 2014 was the last time he was able to watch prep players play live in games.
“I still kept in contact with all of my contacts and AAU coaches and high school coaches,” Johnson added. “I talked to them on the phone. It will be good to get out and see everyone play.”
Johnson helped sign former Virginia Tech players such as Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen, Manny Atkins, Erick Green, Jarell Eddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, C.J. Barksdale and Robert Brown, among others. Current Hokies wing Justin Bibbs and eventual transfer Jalen Hudson, who now attends Florida, were the last of the 22 players he helped land to Blacksburg, Va.
“I think it’s important for us at NC State to recruit our state,” Johnson said. “North Carolina has a rich tradition in high school basketball. I’ve been in this business so long and have worked at a lot of different places and a lot of different regions, where I have connections in a lot of different places. We’ll recruit nationally, too.”
Johnson will take his first-hand knowledge of playing at PNC Arena. Johnson has played NC State 12 times since 2007, going 6-6. He can’t wait to hear the sound affect that creates the Wolfpack howl.
“It is one of the best places to play in the league and the crowds are unbelievable,” Johnson said. “When we played at NC State, whether at Virginia Tech or Miami, we talked how it was a tough environment and it is a great place to play.”
More of The Wolfpacker’s coverage on the hiring of Keatts:
• Takayo Siddle excited about new opportunity
• Kevin Keatts hires his first assistant, James Johnson
• Kevin Keatts expected to bring in talented recruits
• Lorenzo Brown happy for Kevin Keatts’ opportunity
• Column: NC State basketball gets high grade for Kevin Keatts hire
• Podcast: Breaking down the hire with 1983 NCAA champion Ernie Myers
• Reflecting back on the coaching search
• Recruiting analyst Eric Bossi praises NC State’s hire of Keatts
• Photo gallery of the introductory press conference
• Kevin Keatts has been winning for decades
• NC State basketball players are excited about Kevin Keatts
• Video reel: Kevin Keatts’ introductory press conference
• Audio: New NC State basketball coach Kevin Keatts introductory PC
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