Jermaine “JJ” Johnson brings a championship pedigree, proven player-development
background and a track record of building winning programs to the ULM men’s basketball program. A Memphis native, Johnson has earned respect throughout the basketball community through success at the high school, mid-major and high-major levels. Known for his basketball IQ, recruiting relationships, defensive toughness, player development and ability to connect with student-athletes, Johnson’s career has been defined by winning, development and impact.
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 2007-13, 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 and helped all 32 of his seniors earn college scholarships.
Johnson continued his winning impact at the University of Tennessee at 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, UT Martin produced one of the best stretches in program history. 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. His responsibilities included scouting opponents, implementing defensive concepts, recruiting, developing game plans, building player-development plans, assisting with academic progress and directing the Penny Hardaway Summer Basketball Camps.
Johnson graduated from United States Sports Academy in 2007, receiving a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration in 2014.
