Johnson Selected as Interim Men's Basketball Head Coach at Wesleyan

Courtesy Wesleyan Sports Information

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Jay Johnson, who most recently served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Harvard University, has been named interim head men's basketball coach at Wesleyan University, it was announced by Athletics Director John Biddiscombe.  He steps in for 11-year veteran head coach Gerry McDowell, who recently left Wesleyan to pursue other options.

A 2003 graduate Colby College, Johnson was a member of the Mules varsity basketball and baseball teams for four seasons.  He stayed on at his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach for three seasons.  Johnson began graduate work at the University of Southern Maine while serving as an admissions counselor there during 2003-04, his first year of assistant coaching at Colby.  Johnson's predecessor at Wesleyan, McDowell, was also a Colby graduate and former Mule assistant.

"Wesleyan is very fortunate that Jay Johnson has agreed to serve as the interim men's basketball coach" said Biddiscombe. "His NESCAC and Ivy League coaching experience will make this transition year a productive one for our players. He is an extremely capable young coach who will provide the Wesleyan fans with an exciting basketball season."

Wesleyan men's basketball dates back to the 1901-02 season and will be entering its 106th season in 2007-08.  Johnson is the second interim head coach at the university with the first coming during the 1995-96 season.  That happened upon the retirement of 27-year head coach Herb Kenny.  Johnson becomes just the sixth individual to direct the men's basketball team since World War II.

For more information: 
Brian Katten, Sports Information Director, Wesleyan University