Laker Nation News

Lake Land College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dave Johnson was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame banquet April 30 in Redbird Arena at Illinois State University.

The IBCA announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2022 in December, at which time Johnson was notified of his selection among the group.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Johnson said. “Obviously it is a tremendous honor and is something that I didn’t see coming. I didn’t go into coaching for the glory, but I am very thankful to IBCA for selecting me.”

While he appreciates the honor, Johnson said he recognizes that his accomplishments have been the result of a great deal of teamwork amongst himself, his players, other coaches and Athletic Director Bill Jackson.

“No accomplishment is a singular act,” Johnson said. “It takes a group to make it successful.”

As a coach, Johnson said one thing he hopes all of his players take away from their time with him is preparation for success.

“Success doesn’t just happen,” Johnson said. “You have to pursue it with commitment and dedication to a cause.”

Johnson’s vision for success and appreciation for teamwork was evident in his leadership of the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Laker Women’s Basketball teams. Almost hours before the 2019-2020 team was to leave for the national tournament, players received word that the tournament was canceled due to the pandemic.

Johnson would later say while that moment was devastating, it was also a pivotal moment in their team’s culture, since many of the student athletes returned for the next season.

“From the first day of our summer workouts, the players were motivated and committed to winning the national title. They worked hard and continued to fight all the way to victory,” he said.

Johnson said winning the 2021 NCJAA Division II National Championship was one of the highlights of his career.

“Coaching is a very fulfilling career in that you get the opportunity to affect other people’s lives,” Johnson said. “The 24 years that I have been here have all been enjoyable and great experiences, and I just want to continue to do the best job I can do.”

Under his leadership, the team has averaged 21 wins per season and placed ninth in the nation in 2001 and 2012. He has been named the NJCAA DII Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year, CCCI Coach of the Year, IBCA and District M Coach of the Year, Region 24 Coach of the Year and IBCA Junior College Coach of the Year.

In addition to being the women’s basketball coach, Johnson is a health and physical education instructor. Prior to coming to Lake Land College, Coach Johnson taught and coached middle school and high school in District 87 located in Bloomington, Illinois, while also assistant coaching at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Johnson lives in Mattoon with his wife Stephanie, who is an alternative education instructor at Lake Land. They have three sons, Davis, Meade and Madden.

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