Noel Johnson (basketball) facts for kids

Noel Dawn Johnson (born December 1, 1972 – died June 9, 2020) was an American basketball player and a successful coach. She was best known as the head coach for the Midwestern State Mustangs women's basketball team. As a player, she helped the Texas Tech Lady Raiders win a national championship in 1993.

Growing Up in Texas

Noel Johnson was born in Shamrock, Texas, and grew up in Kelton, Texas. When she was in high school, her family moved to Nazareth, Texas. There, she played basketball for Nazareth High. She was a key player, helping her team win two state championships in basketball.

College Basketball Star

Johnson went to Texas Tech University and played on the women's basketball team for four years. During her time there, the Lady Raiders were incredibly successful. They won the Southwest Conference championship every year. They also made it to the NCAA postseason tournament each year, reaching at least the "Sweet Sixteen" round.

Winning a National Championship

In 1993, during Johnson's sophomore year, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders won the national championship! This was a huge achievement for the team. They beat Ohio State in a very close game, 84–82. Johnson played as a point guard and was an important part of the team. She even made crucial free throws near the end of the championship game. The team's star player, Sheryl Swoopes, scored a record 47 points in that game.

The Lady Raiders were coached by Marsha Sharp, who later became famous and was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Johnson's team continued to do well in her junior and senior years, always reaching the NCAA tournament.

Coaching Career Highlights

After college, Noel Johnson continued her passion for basketball by becoming a coach. She earned a master's degree in education in 2002.

Assistant Coach Roles

Her first official coaching job was as an assistant coach for the women's basketball team at Texas State in 1998. She stayed there for many years, eventually becoming the associate head coach. During her time at Texas State, she helped the team win the Southland Conference Championship in 2003. Later, in 2007, she became an assistant coach at North Texas.

Leading the Midwestern State Mustangs

In 2009, Johnson became the head coach for the Midwestern State women's basketball team. She led the team for 12 seasons. She was a very successful coach, winning 159 games during her time there. This made her the coach with the most wins in the school's history!

One of her proudest achievements was that every single one of the 37 athletes who finished their eligibility under her coaching earned a college degree. She was recognized for her excellent coaching, being named the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year in 2012.

Awards and Recognition

Noel Johnson received many awards and honors throughout her career:

• 2005—Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor
• 2012—Named Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year
• 2013—Received the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ Small School Coach of the Year award
• 2018—Inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame
• 2019—Inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame

A Legacy Remembered

Noel Johnson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2019. Despite her illness, she continued to coach until January 2020. She even returned to the school to celebrate "Senior Day" with her team. She bravely fought the cancer for over a year but passed away in June 2020 at the age of 47. Her former coach, Marsha Sharp, shared a statement remembering her. Noel Johnson left a lasting impact on the world of basketball, both as a player and a coach.