The 2022-23 season marks the first for Kelsey Johnson as an assistant coach on the Redhawks women’s basketball staff.
Johnson most recently served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Mississippi under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin in 2021-22.
As the Rebels' graduate assistant, Johnson was a part of an Ole Miss program that ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 2007.
She assisted with in-game offensive schemes and adjustments, aided in skill development through individual workouts, managed game film primarily on the offensive side of the court, and assisted with the planning and implementation of July recruiting schedules, camp organization, coaches travel, and official visit procedures.
During Johnson's time with the Rebels, she was also a part of the first 20-win season Mississippi has had since the 2006-07 season and second 10-win season since 1991-92. She went to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament with Ole Miss during her tenure in Oxford, Mississippi.
Johnson also aided in developing First Round WNBA draft pick Shakira Austin and the SEC Sixth Woman of the Year award recipient, Angel Baker.
Prior to Ole Miss, Johnson served as a graduate assistant at Ohio Valley Conference member UT Martin.
At UTM, Johnson also played a role in developing more professional talent with 2021 WNBA Draft Pick Chelsey Perry.
With the Skyhawks, Johnson was the assistant to the defensive coach as UTM captured back-to-back OVC Championships and earned the program's first-ever WNIT postseason win. UTM went a combined 44-16 over that span.
Johnson has also had coaching stints at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio, and Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts.
A native of East Freetown, Massachusetts, Johnson played collegiately at Dean College from 2011-13 before suffering a career-ending injury. Prior to her injury, she averaged 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a freshman while increasing her totals to 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a sophomore.
Johnson graduated with a Bachelor's degree in psychology with Magna Cum Laude honors in 2016 from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. She also received an Associate's degree at Dean College in 2013.
She was a prep standout at Old Rochester Regional High School, ranking as the top scorer in the area as a sophomore while garnering four conference and regional honors.
