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Women’s basketball head coach Erik Johnson didn’t need an NCAA championship to earn a five-year contract extension that will keep him at DU until the 2014-2015 season, which amazed the coach when he considered who some of his colleagues are.
“I share an office with George Gwozdecky who has won two national titles here and right around the corner I have Bill Tierney who has won six (at Princeton),” Johnson said. “They have eight NCAA championships behind them, and it’s just an honor to be apart of such a great department.”
Johnson relishes coaching at DU, a school that he feels is perfect for him.
“For me, [the contract extension] was a no-brainer,” Johnson said. “The school fits me, my family and my staff. It is a great academic school, which is important, because I wouldn’t be comfortable coaching at a school that wasn’t committed to the academic success for its athletes.”
The contract extension process wasn’t a lengthy or stressful process at all, according to Johnson. Rather, the process was just a series of conversations between himself, Peg Bradley-Doppes, the vice chancellor for athletics and recreation, and Dan Van Ackeren, the senior associate athletics director.
The conversations were more about their shared vision for the women’s basketball program than they were about the length of the contract.
When Johnson was announced as head coach in 2008 after an being an assistant at Boston College, he inherited a Pioneer team that was 11-19 the year before and graduated several top players. In what appeared to be a rebuilding year, Johnson and his staff helped Denver to a 16-15 record. The team improved more last season, finishing 18-13 overall and posting a 12-6 Sun Belt Conference Record, despite the fact they finished with only seven active players.
“Our trainer was our MVP last year,” Johnson joked. “We were very proud we were able to keep it together despite all our injuries.”
Johnson says he sees a very bright future for the program. The Pioneers have eight new players this season. Six are freshmen who will graduate in 2014, while Johnson will still be under contract.
“[The new contract] is big for our players here, big for our players coming here, because it shows we believe in what we are doing,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of good, young talent in the program, all different players who bring a list of different skills.”
Johnson says there was no reason not to make a long-term commitment to a school that has only treated him with caring hands.
“DU is like a family,” Johnson said. “Since day one, I have felt tremendous support personally and professionally. That is very fortunate, which is something to be happy about.”
The women’s basketball team will open their regular season on Nov. 12 when they travel to play Wyoming. They start practice next month.
