Head coach Pierre Curtis' first hire in his new role was Lauren Johnson, who joined the program in August of 2023.
Johnson joined Furman following two years at Hampton University, where she served as an assistant coach and as director of basketball operations for the Pirates' women's basketball program. Â While there, she performed a wide range of duties, including travel and budget management. Â She also served as the team's academic coordinator and liaison.
On the floor she headed up all guard development, assisted in the development of Hampton's post players, and also performed scouts of opponents and in overall game preparation.
She was elevated to associate head coach at Hampton in the spring of 2023.
Prior to Hampton, Johnson worked two seasons as an assistant coach at Charleston Southern, and prior to that two years at Augusta (Ga.) University, also as assistant coach.
She began her coaching career at her alma mater, Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., prior to her graduation in 2014 and was named the school's first junior varsity head coach in 2015 while also assisting as varsity assistant coach.
She moved to Augusta University in August of 2017.
A native of Chesapeake, Va., Johnson began college at South Carolina State University in 2009 before moving on to Southern Wesleyan in 2012.
Johnson is the first coaching hire for Curtis, who was named Furman's new head mentor in June after serving as an assistant on the Paladins' staff for 10 years.
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