Mike Johnson Named Xavier University Volleyball Team's Head Volleyball Coach
Johnson Becomes School's Ninth Coach
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June 28, 2010
CINCINNATI - Mike Johnson, formerly head coach at Austin Peay State University, has been named Xavier University's ninth volleyball head coach as announced by associate vice president and director of athletics Mike Bobinski on June 28, 2010.
"We are very excited to welcome Mike Johnson as our new volleyball coach," said Bobinski. "Mike is an outstanding young coach and an exceptional teacher with a track record of achievement as both a head and assistant coach. More importantly, he is a terrific person who will be an excellent influence on our student-athletes and a positive addition to our athletic staff. We look forward to Mike leading Xavier volleyball to great success in the years ahead."
Johnson replaces Floyd Deaton, who announced his resignation in May after serving as the program's leader for 20 years.
"I feel both inspired and humbled to join the Musketeer family," commented Johnson. "I have long admired Xavier for its esteemed academics and great athletic support, and I sincerely thank Mike Bobinski, Rich Franchak and Becky Jackson for this tremendous opportunity. I'm thrilled to get started."
In Johnson's one year as the Lady Govs' coach, APSU recorded a 22-9 overall mark and a 15-3 Ohio Valley Conference record, which was its best league mark in 17 years. Austin Peay finished 2009 in second place in league standings, earning a first-round bye in the OVC Tournament, Austin Peay's best OVC finish since winning the regular-season crown in 1992.
Three Lady Govs were named to OVC All-Conference First and Second
Teams in
2009, the first time in program history that three players received
All-OVC
(first or second team) honors in the same season. APSU also enjoyed the
league's 2009 Player of the Year in Stephanie Champine, the first for
the Lady
Govs since 1992 and only the third in school history. Champine was also
named
to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Honorable
Mention
All-America team for the second consecutive season.
Johnson, a 2003 graduate of Washington, was a member of the Cal Poly
coaching
staff for three seasons prior to joining the Austin Peay coaching staff
in
March of 2009. While there he was responsible for recruiting, opponent
scouting, defensive game management, academic oversight, practice
planning and
scheduling. An assistant for the 2006 and 2007 campaigns, he was
promoted to
associate head coach for 2008. Johnson also was named one of the
nation's 30
up-and-coming volleyball coaches under 30 years old by the American
Volleyball
Coaches Association following the 2008 season.
While he was the Mustangs' defensive coordinator, they led the conference in blocking each year and held opponents to the lowest hitting percentage in league play. Cal Poly claimed back-to-back Big West championships in 2006 and 2007 and reached the NCAA's Sweet 16 in 2007 - finishing the season ranked 11th nationally.
As Cal Poly's recruiting coordinator, Johnson helped the Mustang program secure four players ranked among the top 50 by prepvolleyball.com. His recruiting classes were among the nation's best each season, including a No. 9 ranking for his 2009 class. Johnson's 2008 recruiting class was graded No. 21 by prepvolleyball.com and included the top high school libero as ranked by prepvolleyball.com. Cal Poly's 2007 recruiting class was ranked as the 23rd-best unit by prepvolleyball.com.
Prior to joining the Mustangs, Johnson served as an assistant coach at Washington, where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. With his help, the 2004 Huskies posted a 28-3 overall record, captured the Pac-10 Conference championship and reached the NCAA Tournament's final four for the first time in program history - finishing the season ranked No. 3 nationally.
Spearheading Washington's recruiting efforts, he helped the Huskies compile the No.6 ranked 2006 incoming class. On the court, Johnson worked primarily with the Huskies' outside hitters, but also helped refine Washington's passing and defense.
A native of Kahaluu, Hawaii, Johnson graduated from Washington in 2003 with a degree in chemical engineering. He is married to the former Liz Grajewski, a former All-Big Ten gymnast at Iowa, and they have two daughters, Jamie and Harper.
