Bernitha Johnson And Kourtney Brown Finalize Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
7/31/2012 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - First-year head coach Felisha Legette-Jack has finalized her coaching staff with the addition of Bernitha Johnson and former MAC Player of the Year Kourtney Brown. Johnson and Brown join Al Walker who was hired earlier this month.
Johnson comes to Buffalo after serving on the staff at Binghamton University, where she has been since 2005. Most recently, Johnson was the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats. During her time at Binghamton, Johnson recruited two America East Conference Rookie of the Year recipients and also served as the academic liaison between the team and the academic services department.
Johnson and Binghamton finished with a 19-12 record during the 2010-11 season, making it all the way to the America East Semifinals. On five different occasions while with the Bearcats, Binghamton reached the conference tournament semifinals.
Johnson graduated in May 2005 from the University of Tennessee where she was a manager for Pat Summit's Lady Vols basketball team for three and a half years. In that role, Johnson prepared game breakdowns of offenses and defenses, while assisting in film exchange, various practice drills and recruiting visits.
"We are extremely excited to have Bernitha join our family," said Legette-Jack. "She brings a ton of experience with her and she has already been a recruiter at an extremely high level. She has great organizational and communication skills and a true passion for the game. The connections she brings from Tennessee will benefit us and I am very eager for her to start."
Brown returns to her alma mater a year after becoming the school's all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, while being named MAC Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-American. This past season, Brown played professionally in Spain for Caceres in the LF2, losing in the league semifinals. In her one year in Spain, Brown averaged 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
The 2010-11 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, Brown finished her brilliant playing career by leading the MAC in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots her senior season. Brown was the only player in the country in the top 10 nationally in those categories as she finished the season eighth in scoring, fifth in rebounding and blocked shots and sixth in field goal percentage.
For her career, Brown had 1,995 points, 1,124 rebounds and 260 blocks, which broke the Mid-American Conference record. She finished second all-time in the MAC in rebounding and is amongst the top 15 scorers in league history despite never attempting a three pointer.
"To have the MAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year on your staff speaks volumes without having to say anything," said Legette-Jack. "The community will love her character and her presence will be impactful. For her to leave her playing career to come back to Buffalo shows that she knows success is on its way."
