Matthew Johnson joined UNT-Dallas men’s basketball program and Head Coach Josh Howard’s staff on June 30, 2020. He has been part of the Trailblazers coaching staff all five seasons since the program started. Johnson served as the acting Head Coach for nine total games, including winning back-to-back road games.
Johnson has recruited, coached and developed Vernon Johnson, who became UNT Dallas’ first 1,000 point scorer and was 2021-22 Sooner Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and two-time SAC Honorable Mention. He recruited and coached 2022-23 Honorable Mention All-American and All-SAC First Team honoree Jules Moor. Johnson assisted in academic development and graduated 12 student-athletes. Johnson was part of a coaching staff that had UNTD receive votes for the Top 25 National Rankings in NAIA Coaches’ Poll for the 2022-23 season. Johnson led recruiting efforts each season for UNTD and has completed scouts and worked alongside fellow coaches to develop game strategies. He has helped fundraising efforts to raise over $40,000.
Prior to joining UNTD, Coach Johnson was part of the coaching staff with Johnson & Wales University at Charlotte. Johnson was the acting Head Coach for two games and was the interim head coach in 2018. He recruited and had a part in developing seven international professional basketball players. He was part of a staff that had the team make the 2018-19 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championship and three USCAA Final Fours. The team posted back-to-back 20-win seasons 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Under Johnson’s tutelage was USCAA Division II National Player of the Year Rickey Porter, where he scored a career 1,663 points. He recruited and coached two-time USCAA All-American and EMAC Player of the Year Robert Hobson, who had 1,392 career points. Other notable student-athletes recruited and coached by Johnson include: All-EMAC First Team Majerle Poole (1,625 career points), First Team All-USCAA Tournament Nicholas Crawford (1,030 career points), All-EMAC Second Team Antonio Smith, and a fifth player to break 1,000 career points in Joshua Cohen (1,185). Johnson mentored five Academic All-Americans and six Academic All-Conference honorees. Johnson assisted in academic development and graduated 18 student-athletes. He organized and marketed individual and team camps.
From 2012 to 2015 across three seasons, Johnson was at Vance Granville Community College. He was the acting Head Coach for two games. Johnson assisted in academic development and graduated 10 student-athletes.
Johnson is a native of Washington, North Carolina and attended Washington High School. He attended North Carolina Central University for undergraduate and law school. Johnson is married to Dahleesia Johnson and they have three (3) children.
