Jackson State University didn’t have to go too far in finding a new men’s basketball coach
Trey Johnson, a longtime assistant and former JSU star, has been tabbed to replace Mo Williams, the school announced on Wednesday.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be chosen to lead the men’s basketball program here at my alma mater,” Johnson said. “This university is part of my foundation, my character, the fabric of who I am. This opportunity is personal—it’s about pouring back into the same institution and city that poured so much into me, while honoring those who came before me and building something that future Tigers will be proud to carry forward.”
Johnson has served as Jackson State’s associate head coach for the past four seasons, helping develop several of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s top performers.
He will take over for Williams, who resigned last month to be an assistant at Kentucky.
Johnson began his collegiate coaching career at Alabama State in 2020 as associate head coach under Williams. During his two seasons there, he played a key role in player development, recruiting, and game strategy.
JSU hoops legend now program leader
One of the most decorated players in program history, Johnson became a household name during his collegiate career from 2005 to 2007. He earned consecutive First Team All-SWAC honors and was named the conference’s Player of the Year for the 2006–07 season after averaging more than 27 points per game, ranking among the nation’s leading scorers. That season, he also earned SWAC Tournament MVP honors and led JSU to the 2007 conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Following his college success, Johnson went on to play professionally, enjoying a seven-year career that included stints in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors, as well as overseas stops in Italy and Israel. He also competed in the NBA Development League, where he was an All-Star performer and earned recognition as one of the league’s top scorers.
His name remains etched in the Jackson State record books. Johnson still holds the program’s single-season marks for scoring average, total points, free throws made, and free throws attempted, and he joined the 1,000-point club in just two years. Nationally, he was recognized as a BoxToRow All-American and the 2007 Bailey Howell Trophy winner. He was inducted into the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
