Nyla Johnson

Bio

Nyla Johnson was named the Lady Trailblazers’ 6th head women’s basketball coach in the spring of 2025.

“This is an exciting day for VU Athletics and Women’s Basketball! After a thorough national search featuring an outstanding pool of applicants, we are thrilled to welcome Coach Nyla Johnson to VU,” stated Meeks. “Coach Johnson brings an impressive blend of energy, experience, and excellence, displayed across multiple levels of basketball. What stood out most during the hiring process was her vision for the program—not just for winning games, but for creating a program that is deeply connected to the community. She understands that inspiring young women goes beyond the court, and her passion for outreach, mentorship, and engagement aligns perfectly with our values at Vincennes University. Coach Johnson is the perfect leader to guide the Lady Trailblazers into the future.”

Johnson arrives at VU following a successful 2024–25 season as an Assistant Coach at NCAA Division I Belmont University, where she helped guide the Bruins to a 26–13 overall record and a 15–5 mark in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play, finishing third in the league standings. Belmont advanced to the championship game of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), marking the deepest national postseason run in program history. Johnson played a key role in the development of Belmont’s perimeter players and defensive system, while also assisting in the recruitment of a nationally ranked mid-major class built on high-character student-athletes.

Prior to Belmont, Johnson gained experience across multiple levels of the game, including NCAA Division I stops at Alabama A&M University, where she served in multiple roles across two stints, and NCAA Division III Birmingham-Southern College, where she was appointed Head Coach in 2023 and led the program through a challenging institutional closure due to financial circumstances. She also spent two seasons at NJCAA Division I Temple College, where she helped guide the program to 32 wins, back-to-back top-three conference finishes, and its first-ever WBCA All-Americans.

Johnson’s coaching career began in 2015 following her playing days at Faulkner University, where she was a four-year letter winner and SSAC Freshman of the Year. As a player, she helped lead Faulkner to a conference championship and NAIA National Tournament appearance, finishing her career ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding.

She has also served on coaching staffs at the high school level, including Madison Academy (AL), where she helped guide the program to a state championship. Across all levels, Johnson has built a reputation for player development, defensive identity, and strong recruiting relationships.

A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree from Faulkner University. She and her family are excited to join the Vincennes community.