Bringing a proven track record in international recruiting and player development, Nathan Johnson joined the Vermont men's basketball staff in the summer of 2023.
The Catamounts completed an America East Championship three-peat for just the second time in program history in 2023-24, his first season with the program. UVM went 28-7 (15-1 AE) that season, tying the 2021-22 team for the second-most wins in program history. The Cats tied the program record for non-conference wins (10), which included a thrilling early-season run to the championship game at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. In conference play, Vermont clinched its eighth-straight regular season crown -- the longest active streak in the country. The Catamounts captured the America East Championship with a 66-61 victory over No. 2 UMass Lowell at Patrick Gym. Vermont's offense was as balanced as ever, with eight different Catamounts leading the team in scoring throughout the season. A total of 12 different players reached double figures for the Catamounts.Â
Johnson previously worked as a graduate assistant at Memphis for two seasons in which the Tigers made two trips to the NCAA Tournament. Johnson supported head coach Penny Hardaway in all aspects of the basketball program, while assisting and conducting workouts, evaluations, and player development plans. Memphis snapped a seven-year NCAA Tournament drought in Johnson's first year with the program.
Prior to Memphis, Johnson spent the 2020-21 in the Chinese Basketball Association as an assistant coach for the Liaoning Flying Leopards. Responsible for player development and scouting reports, the Flying Leopards finished second in the CBA with a 45-9 mark.
Johnson spent two years in Beijing as a consultant for Montverde Academy and Director for Kevin Boyle Basketball Coaching International. He was responsible for developing 50 of the top basketball prospects across China, and was named U17 National Coach of the Year.
Johnson was the head coach at Orangeville Prep in Ontario for two seasons before heading overseas. Carrying a 98-13 record against the top prep schools in North America, Orangeville was ranked as the No. 1 team in Canada three times. Johnson helped develop four NBA players at Orangeville: Lugentz Dort, Thon Maker, Ignas Brazdeikis, and Oshae Brisset. He was named Canadian High School Coach of the Year twice at Orangeville.
A native of Nova Scotia, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2009, and Bachelor of Education in 2011 from Saint Francis Xavier University. He also received a Master of Education degree from Lakehead University in 2013.
He is the brother of former Vermont assistant coach, Bryson Johnson, who helped the program earn America East Championships in each of his two seasons (2021-22, 2022-23).
