Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but on the topic of the thread, a 5 year contract would not by any means guarantee that AJ would stay. It would probably make him feel appreciated and wanted. It might make him think twice before taking a higher offer at a major school. Coaches back out of contracts all the time (not to say AJ would do that).

I think AJ deserves to be rewarded for his hard work with a longer term deal, but it doesn't mean we would have him on lock for the term of the contract, unless the AD would refuse to let him talk to other schools. Most AD's don't do that because it runs the risk of having an unhappy coach, which can cause chaos in the Athletic Department.

Unfortunately, contracts don't seem to mean much these days in the college coaching ranks, or pros for that matter.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Can anybody confirm AJ interviewing for Northern Iowa's position (like the article stated) or his interest in UWGB. I assumed he wouldn't leave unless it was a major move up, but maybe he is considering other options? He could have just interviewed at UNI too for the experience and to see what was out there...

[jackmd]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Can anybody confirm AJ interviewing for Northern Iowa's position (like the article stated) or his interest in UWGB.  I assumed he wouldn't leave unless it was a major move up, but maybe he is considering other options?  He could have just interviewed at UNI too for the experience and to see what was out there...

I am going to speculate and say that many of us have been in a similar position as AJ. Speaking for myself, I would definitely want to explore all options. When opportunity knocks you have to at least ask who/what it is. AJ knows how fickle AD's and fans can be. He has had one heck of a run and I can't blame him for capitalizing on that. We'll have to see if he goes the Tim Miles route or decides to dance with the girl that brought him. Its his choice and I would say thats a good position for him to be in.

[JacksRule]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

:-/ The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

:-/   The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

> :-[

[jackmd]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

:-/   The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

Life is interesting. Dr. Oien will be forming a committee soon, I am sure. I think Green Bay is probably about the same distance east of his hometown in Minnesota as Brookings is west. Best of luck to AJ.

Now, how/where do you find someone to replace him and who will go with him? Big questions for which I don't have any answers right now.

I'm a little bummed out, to say the least.

[valleyrabbit]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

:-/   The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

Hey moderators. Isn't the rumor rule in place here. Sources need to be named!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thebluehatman]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

[quote author=JacksRule link=1174870818/30#33 date=1177537517] :-/   The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

Hey moderators.  Isn't the rumor rule in place here.  Sources need to be named!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
I think it only deals with players. Coaches are fair game.

[jackmd]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

[quote author=JacksRule link=1174870818/30#33 date=1177537517] :-/   The word is out. Seems AJ is headed to GreenBay. AJ shared his news with the team this afternoon. Good luck to AJ and I hope the Jacks can find a qualified replacement soon.

Hey moderators.  Isn't the rumor rule in place here.  Sources need to be named!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]

I am never going to be a moderator, tell you that much. Too many knotheads to deal with.

As for AJ, its small of me but I'm kind of pissed off. I suspect he can deal with that.

[propar80]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I think I'm going to be sick. :-[

Guarantee he'll take Coach Melum with him (just my opinion). I guess that leaves three coaches to hire for the women's program.

[SDHoops]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

It's official:
http://uwgbathletics.cstv.com/sports...042507aaa.html

Aaron Johnston Named UW-Green Bay Women's Basketball Head Coach
Division II National Champion coach is third mentor in Phoenix women's basketball history



Aaron Johnston becomes the third head coach in UW-Green Bay women's basketball history.




Aaron Johnston Press Release

April 25, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof announced today the hiring of Aaron Johnston as the head coach for the Phoenix women's basketball program. Johnston becomes the third head coach in the team's storied 34-year history.

"I am excited that we have someone of Aaron's caliber to lead our program," said Bothof. "We have an individual that met our players' qualifications for their coach as well as a person with the credentials that we felt would be able to take our program and build on its record of success."

"We are delighted that Coach Johnston is joining the UW-Green Bay family," said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard. "Our ability to attract a coach of his caliber is firm evidence of the stature and maturity of our women's basketball program. Coach Johnston's teams have experienced high levels of success - on the court and in the classroom. He is an excellent fit not only for our women's basketball program, but for our university and community."

"It is a great opportunity for me to join the well-established Phoenix women's basketball program," said Johnston. "I appreciate the confidence extended from the leadership of UW-Green Bay and I am anxious to begin the process of adding to the wonderful foundation that is already in place."

"I greatly appreciate the leadership and hard work of Athletics Director Ken Bothof in bringing this important search to such a successful conclusion," continued Shepard. "I also would like to thank Faculty Athletic Representative Donna Ritch, Senior Woman Administrator Jeanne Stangel and our players for their wise counsel and assistance in this process."

Johnston comes to Titletown following seven successful seasons at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. During his tenure with the Jackrabbits, Johnston compiled an overall record of 170-55 (.756 winning percentage), including the team's 32-3 record in 2003 on its way to the NCAA Division II national championship. For his efforts, Johnston was tabbed the 2003 Molten/Women's Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year.

This past season as part of the team's provisional Division I status, Johnston guided the Jacks to a 25-6 mark, culminating in the team's WNIT quarterfinal appearance. South Dakota State lost to eventual WNIT champion Wyoming 70-59 in Laramie, Wyo. During the team's three seasons under NCAA Divsion I provision, Johnston guided his team to a 65-22 record (.747 winning percentage) and 20-win seasons both last year and 2004-05. Notable wins include victories over BCS programs Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota, Indiana and Colorado.

South Dakota State appeared in two other Division II Elite Eight rounds under Johnston's eye, bookending the team's title run in 2003. The team's Elite Eight appearance in 2004 would be the final trip for the Jacks, as the program began its transition to NCAA Division I the following season.

Johnston's success has not been limited to the court, as SDSU was named the WBCA academic national champions for 2005-06, an honor UW-Green Bay was awarded in 2001-02. The Jacks combined for a 3.730 team grade point average that year, which was the third consecutive year South Dakota State was included in the WBCA's elite academic listing.

Johnston's connection with the community has been verified with South Dakota State's impressive attendance marks. In 2006-07, Johnston and the Jacks attracted an average of 2,700 fans in 15 home games, including an impressive 6,053 attendants at its WNIT second round game against Indiana March 22.

In a recent publication by the NCAA commemorating the first 25 years of women's basketball success, both of UW-Green Bay's previous head coaches, Carol Hammerle and Kevin Borseth, were included for their achievements with the Phoenix. Johnston was also selected for the publication thanks to his success at South Dakota State.

Prior to his appointment as the head coach at South Dakota State, Johnston also was an assistant for the Jacks during the 1999-2000 campaign before being named interim head coach for the final six games of the season. He also was an assistant for the men's basketball program for two years and the head coach of the Jacks' golf program for the 1998-99 academic year. Johnston started his coaching career as an assistant coach at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., in 1996-97.

A 1996 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., with a degree in health and physical education, the 32-year-old Johnston is a native of Pine Island, Minn. Johnston also completed his Masters' degree from South Dakota State.

[Jacks_NL]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

here it is

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/GPG020101/70425152/1978[/url]

[2002jack]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I think I'm going to be sick. :-[

Guarantee he'll take Coach Melum with him (just my opinion).  I guess that leaves three coaches to hire for the women's program.

I am guessing she would be a candidate for the head coaching position.

[JacksRule]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I understand AJ leaving, I would assume it has all to do with $$$. I feel bad for the girls on this years team that got him to the point where he is. I could see leaving, if you were losing you talent, but that is not the case. With all but one player returning, he left when things are at a high point. Seems Melum is going with him, so it is a full staff, including 2 full time assistants that were are talking about here. Well, atleast a the new coach will not have to rebuild...he is getting a great bunch of ladies returning.

[NorCalJack]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

The team will play in the new, 4,000-seat Kress Events Center beginning next season

Well it may be a new event center, but 4,000 seats is a little small. I always thought that AJ would move to a bigger program than UWGB. Don't get me wrong, I think UWGB has had good teams, but I could see SDSU accomplishing the same things UWGB can accomplish. I think in a few years SDSU will be on par with UWGB.

I know AJ always stressed to the recruits that they needed to leave the program in a better position than when they arrived. I think the program is in a better position today than when AJ arrived. And for that I thank AJ for putting SDSU on the map of women's basketball.

I wish AJ the best of luck.

Go State!!! 8-) 8-) 8-)