MONROE, La. – Jermaine Johnson, an assistant coach on Ryan Cross' 2026-27 coaching staff, has been named by Silver Waves Media as one of the top mid-major assistant coaches in the nation.

Johnson arrived in Monroe following five seasons on Penny Hardaway's Memphis staff. A Memphis native, Johnson has earned respect throughout the basketball community through success at the high school, mid-major and high-major levels. 

Before moving into the college ranks, Johnson established himself as one of the top high school coaches in Tennessee during his tenure as head coach at Melrose High School in Memphis. From 2007 to 2013, he built Melrose into a nationally recognized program, leading the Golden Wildcats to five-straight District 16 AAA championships. In 2010, Johnson guided Melrose to the TSSAA Class AAA State Championship, the program's first state title since 1983. That team finished 37-4 and earned a No. 15 national ranking in the USA Today poll. During his time as a high school head coach, Johnson posted a 353-91 record.

Johnson continued his winning impact at the UT Martin, where he served on staff from 2015-19, beginning as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach for his final two seasons. During his time with the Skyhawks, Johnson helped the program win its first two Ohio Valley Conference West Division championships in 2015-16 and 2016-17, make its first two OVC Tournament championship game appearances in 2016 and 2017, and earn five CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament victories. He was part of a staff that helped oversee 73 wins from 2014-15 through 2017-18, the most victories in any four-year span in UT Martin's NCAA Division I era. The Skyhawks also posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in school history.

After his success at UT Martin, Johnson spent the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach at Troy, where he continued to build his reputation as a tireless recruiter, detailed scout and strong teacher of the game.

Johnson returned home to Memphis prior to the 2020-21 season, joining head coach Penny Hardaway's staff at the University of Memphis. Over five seasons with the Tigers, Johnson helped Memphis compete on the national stage and capture multiple championships. In 2020-21, he helped guide the Tigers to a 20-8 record and the NIT Championship. During his tenure, Memphis made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, won the 2023 American Athletic Conference Tournament Championship by defeating No. 1 Houston, and captured both the AAC regular-season championship and AAC Tournament championship in 2024-25. The 2024-25 Tigers finished 29-6, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and added another championship season to one of the nation's most visible basketball programs. At Memphis, Johnson served in several key roles, including assistant coach, director of player development and director of coach analytics. 

Johnson and the ULM men's basketball team will open the season against Central Michigan in b1Bank Fant Coliseum on November 2. Tip-off in the season opener is slated for 6:30 p.m.