Tara Johns promoted to assistant coach/director of basketball operations
Tara Johns was promoted to assistant coach/director of women’s basketball operations on Wednesday.
Johns joined USF as an executive administrative specialist in November 2021 and started as the coordinator of women’s basketball operations last December.
Bulls coach Jose Fernandez said Johns gained a lot of experience as coordinator last year and has an opportunity to be more involved this year.
“In her new role, she has the opportunity to get on the floor and coach and be involved in workouts and player development in an additional capacity,” he said in the press release. “Tara has brought so much experience to our program as a player and coach.”
Prior to joining the Bulls, Johns spent two seasons as an assistant coach for Northwest Florida State College from 2019-21 and one season at Wabash Valley College from 2018-19.
During her time with Northwest Florida State, the Raiders had a record of 51-6 and won the NJCAA National Championship in 2021 for the first time in program history. The team had the best defense in the country allowing just under 50 points per game.
Johns served as the director of basketball operations at Morehead State from 2016-18. Under her tenure, the Eagles made their first ever appearance in the WNIT in 2017.
The 32-year-old mentored several athletes at Northwest Florida State. Some notable players who performed well in Division I programs include LSU junior guard Last-Tear Poa, Southern Miss junior guard Noelani Cornfield and Memphis senior forward Shelbee Brown.
Johns’ promotion to assistant coaching marks the second addition to the women’s basketball coaching staff this season. Gina Cerezuela Robuste was appointed as an assistant coach and director of global recruiting on Oct. 2.
Johns’ first game with the Bulls as their assistant coach is set for Nov. 6 against UT Arlington at the Yuengling Center.
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