Justin Johnson, MS, RAA

Christian, Educator, Speaker and Coach. Head Coach, Manning WBB. Basketball, Basketball, Basketball. My views are my own.

[Anthony Bradley @drantbradley]

Clemson is $1.5B in debt. Syracuse is closing or pausing 93 programs, UNC-Chapel Hill plans to cut spending by $89M over 3 years. Duke recently let 600 employees go in a $350M budget cut. Indiana public colleges announced a plan to eliminate or merge 580 programs statewide.

[Scott Eisberg @SEisbergWCIV]

The e-mail from the SCHSL to Academic Magnet.

[Scott Eisberg @SEisbergWCIV]

Some breaking HS Soccer news, the girls 2a lower state title game will not be played tomorrow night between Academic Magnet and Atlantic Collegiate. Per AcMag HC Alister Delong- "Atlantic Collegiate filed a red card appeal so the HSL has to hear that appeal and the earliest they can do that is Monday. Not sure how the game was played Tuesday and an appeal just got filed. Doesn’t make sense to me."

[Scott Eisberg @SEisbergWCIV]

Sometimes, a hiring, more than a hiring. Brooks Burnette getting the Timberland head football job is. Announced today, by his alma mater.

Yesterday, his dad, Rick's funeral. Dad, coached 50 years in the area. Led Macedonia & St. Stephen- the schools that BECAME Timberland.

Special. Simply, special.

[Coach Jeff Barnes @JeffBarnes52]

As an AD, you learn quickly that the loudest voices are not always the right ones. Many are driven by personal agendas, not the mission of the program. Volume does not equal value. Stay anchored to the people and principles that actually move your program forward.

[Evan Rodriguez @EvanRodriguezCT]

After the team flew back following UConn’s National Championship loss, Tarris Reed Jr. prepared a speech on short notice for UConn’s Athletes In Action meeting.

“I told myself I would let the Holy Spirit speak through me.”

He revealed that night, both Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold of UConn WBB got baptized

Truly amazing work and an inspirational message from T-Reed 🙏

(Via iamtarrisreed/IG)

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

A loyal assistant coach is one of the most valuable things in a program.

They keep the locker room steady.
They reinforce standards.
They make the head coach better.

Behind every strong program…
there’s usually a strong coaching staff.

[Brian Adams @coachbeardbbq]

Parents getting a high school coach fired because their kid didn't play is so crazy. Do parents not realize that coaches have families to support as well?

[Justin Johnson, MS, RAA @coachingprodigy]

@TweetsbyCoachP Not yet. Haven’t missed a single game

[NIAAA @NIAAA9100]

On National Student-Athlete Day, we celebrate the young men and women who master the ultimate balancing act. To the athletic administrators who work behind the scenes to create these opportunities: thank you. Happy National Student-Athlete Day! 🎓👟

[William Payne @TweetsbyCoachP]

As athletic directors, it’s easy to get consumed by schedules, budgets, facilities, transportation logistics, and compliance. Those things matter and they keep programs running. However, at the core of everything we do is one simple priority: people.

Putting student-athletes first means creating an environment where they can grow beyond the scoreboard. It’s about educational accountability, character development, and giving them the tools to succeed long after their playing days are over. Wins and losses will fade, but the habits, discipline, and confidence they build through athletics will stay with them for life.

At the same time, we must put coaches in a position to succeed. Coaches are the front line of our programs; the lifeblood, if you will. They shape the culture daily. Supporting them through professional development, clear communication, and trust allows them to pour fully into their athletes. When coaches feel valued and supported, that impact multiplies across every team in the department.

The best athletic departments aren’t defined by championships alone; they’re defined by alignment. When student-athletes feel supported, coaches feel empowered, and leadership stays grounded in purpose, and success becomes sustainable. Culture becomes intentional, not accidental.

Being an AD isn’t just about managing programs; it’s about leading people. And when we consistently choose people over everything else, the results, on and off the field, take care of themselves.

[Randy Jackson @CoachJacksonTPW]

I texted a coach this morning and asked how the new job was going after about a month.

His response was one I’ve heard many times… and lived myself:

“Not bad. Some kids pushing back culture wise. Always worried about staff and numbers.”

If you go into a program and start making the changes that need to be made, be ready for pushback.

That’s normal.

My advice to him:

Water the good grass.
Don’t let the weeds hold you hostage.

Too many coaches start looking the other way because they want to keep players and coaches happy.
They convince themselves they can slowly change the culture.

It doesn’t work that way. Culture doesn’t drift in the right direction. It moves toward the standard you enforce.

Stay strong to your principles.
The right grass will grow. 🌱🏈

@fastnwide

[NIAAA @NIAAA9100]

Happy National Women Coaches Day! 📣

Today, we honor the women who lead, mentor, and inspire our athletes. We’re committed to a future where women coaches thrive at every level of the game.

Here’s to the leaders who change the game every day! 👏✨ #WomenInCoaching #NWCD

[Mariah Mcilwain @MariahMcilwain]

Honored to be named “Athlete of the Week” among several local high schools nominees. I am extremely grateful to my coaches, teammates and everyone who voted for me! @CloverGBBall @RHHerald @ngu_wbb @kevinmoses38 @_blakederrick @akiembailum @mrcoachbridges @schsl @louatthestate @_shakkiaW @IE_showcase_ @lilgrif2 @coachkeisha2 @sceyetesthoops @RHHerald_preps @Hi_schoolsports

https://t.co/mAUSA2CHMb

[Justin Johnson, MS, RAA @coachingprodigy]

@TheHoopHerald Mike Beasley

[Justin Johnson, MS, RAA @coachingprodigy]

@YolettMcCuin Coach, love your approach! Keep being you.

[Dennis Marshall @mar5hallhoops]

Does anyone have a reason as to why today’s players don’t watch basketball? I am having a hard time finding answers. These players don’t actually watch basketball. Why?

[Mezz @Jeff_Mezzatesta]

Thanks to all of those who made #400 possible tonight. Love all of my players from current to past, my amazing assistant coaches, my very special bookkeeper Laquanda Palmer who has been with me for over 300 of these 400 wins and my supportive and amazing family! Thank you!

[Justin Johnson, MS, RAA @coachingprodigy]

#DTW

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Coach K shares what it actually takes to get better.

"In order to get better, you change limits."

"When you change limits, you're going to look bad and you're going to fail."

Growth requires pushing past what's comfortable.

And that means you're going to stumble. You're going to look like you don't know what you're doing. That's not a sign you're on the wrong path - it's proof you're on the right one.

Coach K would always emphasize: Failure isn't a destination. It's a checkpoint.

It takes grit to keep going. Courage to try again. And the willingness to endure when it would be easier to quit.

The only way to expand your limits is to test them.

(🎥Bloomberg)