Sterling Johnson enters his first season as head coach at Tiffin University in 2026–27, bringing a decade of collegiate coaching experience across the Division I, Division II, NAIA, and junior college ranks.
Prior to joining the Dragons, Johnson spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Grand Valley State University, where he helped guide the Lakers to one of the most successful stretches in program history. In 2025-26, Grand Valley State captured the GLIAC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. During his tenure, Johnson played an integral role in the development of several all-conference performers, including Trevor Smith, who led all of Division II in assist-to-turnover ratio, and GLIAC Sixth Man of the Year honorees Trevor Smith and Kaden Brown. He also helped foster success in the classroom, as the Lakers recorded a program-best 3.4 cumulative team GPA.
Before arriving in Allendale, Johnson served as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech during the 2023-24 season. In Blacksburg, he assisted with opponent scouting, film analysis, practice preparation, and player development while helping the Hokies advance to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Johnson worked closely with Third Team All-ACC selection Sean Pedulla, who later earned NBA G League Rookie of the Year honors and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Johnson's coaching journey also includes stops at Northwood University, Schoolcraft College, the University of Northwestern Ohio, and Defiance College. Throughout those experiences, he helped recruit, mentor, and develop numerous student-athletes while contributing to conference tournament appearances and individual player success. His background spans multiple levels of college basketball and has provided him with a broad perspective on player development and building successful programs.
Away from the college game, Johnson remains committed to giving back to his community. He founded the Sterling Johnson Fundamental Basketball Camp in his hometown of Clinton Township, Michigan, a free youth camp designed for boys and girls ages 8-14. The camp focuses on teaching basketball fundamentals while emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship, gratitude, and character development. Through instruction and mentorship, Johnson strives to provide young athletes with positive experiences and life lessons that extend far beyond the court.
A former student-athlete himself, Johnson was a four-year letterwinner at Saginaw Valley State University from 2012 to 2016. He appeared in 108 career games and was a member of the winningest team in school history during the 2015-16 season. That team advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, and Johnson shot 46 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range during his senior campaign.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University in 2016 before completing his Master of Business Administration at Defiance College in 2019. He later attended Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Life Sciences with a concentration in Education in 2024. Known for his commitment to player development, academic achievement, and building championship cultures, Johnson begins his tenure at Tiffin with a vision centered on discipline, accountability, and preparing student-athletes for success both on and off the court.
