Ben Johnson Retained as Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

PULLMAN, Wash. -Ben Johnson has been retained as an assistant men's basketball coach at Washington State University, Cougar Head Coach Ken Bone announced this week.

Johnson came to WSU in 2004-05 under then second-year head coach Dick Bennett. Following two years as an assistant under the elder Bennett, Johnson remained on staff as Tony Bennett took over the head coaching reigns prior to the 2006-07 season.

"I'm really excited about being able to retain Ben Johnson on our staff at Washington State," Bone said. "It gives us the continuity I feel we need during this transition period with not only an outstanding coach with great character, but also a great defensive coach who's been a part of WSU and the Pac-10 for five years."

In his five seasons at WSU, the Cougars have gone to two NCAA tournaments and made three-consecutive postseason appearances for just the second time in school history.

"I'm extremely excited to have this opportunity to work with Coach Bone and the players at Washington State University," Johnson said. I'm looking forward to helping Coach Bone build upon the tradition that has been built at WSU over the past few years and I'm excited about the new challenge ahead for our program."

A native of Stevens Point, Wis., Johnson graduated from Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1992 where he played alongside Tony Bennett. Prior to his position at WSU, Johnson spent time coaching both at his alma mater and in Australia. He and his wife Nicky have a daughter who was born in January.