Dr. Ashley Johnson is in her fourth year as an assistant coach with the Furman women's basketball program, having joined the Paladins in May 2021. Since her arrival, Johnson has been instrumental in player development, coaching standout athletes such as Southern Conference (SoCon) Player of the Year Tierra Hodges and second-team All-Conference honorees Grace van Rij, Jada Session, and Kate Johnson.
Before joining Furman, Johnson spent three years as the director of player development at LSU, where she helped organize and execute recruiting strategies that brought in top-tier talent, including the nation's No. 1 junior college player, Sarah Shematsi, along with Ajae Petty, Sharna Ayres, and Treasure Thompson. She also contributed to the development of standout players such as second-team All-Southeastern Conference honorees Ayana Mitchell and Khayla Pointer, All-SEC defender Faustine Aifuwa, and Louisiana Sportswriter Newcomer of the Year Awa Trasi.
Her extensive responsibilities at LSU included generating post-game analytics, creating in-depth scouting reports, scheduling non-conference games, and collaborating with compliance, academic advising, and sports communications teams. Additionally, she played a key role in the planning and execution of summer camps and clinics.
Johnson's coaching journey began in 2013, and she has since held various roles, including assistant coach at Winthrop (2016-17) and director of program development at UCF (2014-16). She also served as an assistant coach with the Fairfax Stars Girls 16U Nike EYBL squad, helping young athletes succeed on a national stage.
A former collegiate star at LSU, Johnson was a team co-captain during her junior and senior seasons. She helped lead the Tigers to a 125-21 record, three SEC regular season championships, and four consecutive Final Four appearances. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in sports studies and later completed her Master of Business Administration, both from LSU.
In 2024, Johnson earned her doctorate in Global Sport Leadership from East Tennessee State University (ETSU).
Before returning full-time to basketball, Johnson gained valuable experience in the corporate sector, working in information systems with Northrop Grumman from 2010-13. She also held a role as manager of educational programs at Points of Light, where she focused on leadership and community impact initiatives.
In addition to her professional achievements, Johnson is a dedicated mother to her daughter, Ava.”
