Ben Johnson rejoined the Northern Arizona Men's Basketball coaching staff in June 2026 as Associate Head Coach. Johnson previously served as the Lumberjacks' associate head coach during the 2023-24 season.

Johnson returned to Flagstaff after two seasons at Charlotte, where he helped orchestrate a major turnaround in 2025-26. After the 49ers finished his first campaign in Charlotte with a 3-15 conference record in 2024-25, the 49ers advanced to the American Conference Semifinals last season.

During Johnson’s first stint at NAU during the 2023-24 season, the Lumberjacks posted their highest Division I non-conference win total (7) in 16 years as he played a key role in player development, game planning and daily operations.

Johnson’s expansive coaching career covers more than three decades across six conferences. Johnson spent two seasons as an assistant coach at San Jose State from 2021-23, contributing to one of the most successful two-year stretches in program history following a five-year stint at Portland, which concluded with him serving as interim head coach for the final four games of the 2020-21 season.

During a nine-year stay at Washington State from 2004-13, Johnson helped guide the Cougars to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008 – a season in which Washington State achieved a program-best No. 4 national ranking. Washington State also led the NCAA in scoring defense in 2008-09. Johnson served as an assistant under Dick Bennett and three-time National Coach of the Year Tony Bennett, and played a major role in the recruitment and development of future NBA champions Klay Thompson and Aron Baynes, as well as two-time Pac-12 scoring champion Brock Motum.

In between his stints at Washington State and Portland, Johnson found success internationally, working as performance manager for Basketball Queensland – South State from 2013-16, overseeing elite player development for athletes ages 14-20. His teams earned two gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Australian Junior National Championships. He also coached the Kuiyam Pride U23 squad in 2002-03, identifying and developing Nathan Jawai, the first Indigenous Australian to reach the NBA.

A 2007 inductee into the Wisconsin-Green Bay Hall of Fame, Johnson made his name known as both a player and coach for the Phoenix. In 1991, he was the team captain for the first team in program history to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Johnson began his coaching career at his alma mater from 1995-2002. He helped guide the Phoenix to a 25-4 overall record and a conference title, resulting in the program's third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season on staff.

Following his playing career at Wisconsin-Green Bay, Johnson competed professionally in Australia, playing with the Cairns Marlins and Kuiyam Pride across two stints from 1993-95 and 2002-03.

Johnson and his wife, Nicky, have two children, Samira and Aziah.