DerMarr Johnson leaves Cincinnati Bearcats for Bob Huggins' West Virginia coaching staff
DerMarr Johnson, the Cincinnati Bearcats' director of player development since 2021, was named an assistant coach for the West Virginia Mountaineers, WVU head coach Bob Huggins announced Monday.
Johnson played for Huggins at UC. In his only season for the Bearcats, Johnson was named the 1999-2000 Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
The sixth overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000 NBA Draft, Johnson played seven NBA seasons and overseas in 10 countries.
"Obviously, DerMarr is a guy who I know very well," Huggins said, per WVUsports.com. "He has a great amount of experience from being the national player of the year in high school, to the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, to the NBA and to a 16-year professional basketball career. He's extremely well-liked by former players, coaches and fans alike. He has a tremendous presence in the Washington, D.C. area, being one of the most-recognized athletes to come out of there in a long time. I'm thrilled that he's joining our program and look forward to him getting on the court."
Social media reactions to Johnson's departure for WVU, including from Johnson himself via Twitter:
— slim (@DerMarrJohnson) January 16, 2023
Soooooooo much support my phone hasn’t stopped yet. Love you guys.
— slim (@DerMarrJohnson) January 17, 2023
Congratulations to @DerMarrJohnson, who is headed to West Virginia after accepting his first assistant coaching role with the Mountaineers. 👏 pic.twitter.com/AlmY4aITsT
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) January 16, 2023
Let’s roll out the carpet for new assistant coach @DerMarrJohnson!
Welcome, DerMarr!
➡️ https://t.co/7sIPf35qFH#HailWV pic.twitter.com/DoIze3HRTw— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) January 16, 2023
My bro @DerMarrJohnson making a major move. True Bearcats are happy for my guy. pic.twitter.com/JytWXHTNna
— James White (@Flight8) January 16, 2023
The Mountaineers parted ways last week with Huggins' longtime associate head coach, Larry Harrison.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: DerMarr Johnson leaves UC to become Bob Huggins' assistant at WVU