Georgetown assistant coach Sydney Johnson '97 has been offered the Princeton men's basketball head coaching position, individuals close to the program and the search said last night. He has yet to accept the job.
A three-time Tiger captain as a player, Johnson's hire comes as somewhat of a surprise because of his relative coaching inexperience. He has only spent three years on the sidelines, all as a Hoya assistant under former Princeton head coach John Thompson III '88.
The all-time Tiger leader in steals, Johnson played basketball professionally in Europe for seven years before landing at Georgetown. (Share your thoughts on Johnson's potential hire on our blog, Sideline Dispatches, where we will also track new developments throughout the day.)
Players contacted by The Daily Princetonian late last night said they were unaware of the offer extended to Johnson.
Princeton basketball's top post was vacated nearly a month ago when then-head coach Joe Scott '87 resigned to take the reins at the University of Denver. Scott left Princeton after a disappointing three-year tenure that ended with the Tigers at the bottom of the Ivy League standings for the first time in school history.
Johnson was selected ahead of an impressive list of candidates that, according to published reports, included fellow Georgetown assistant Robert Burke, current Princeton assistant coach Mike Brennan '94, Northwestern assistant Mitch Henderson '98, Brown head coach Craig Robinson '83 and former West Virginia assistant Mike Maker.
Maker was the only candidate to formally confirm his candidacy for the Princeton position. Also among the reported candidates were Boston Celtics assistant coach Armond Hill '85, Lafayette head coach Fran O'Hanlan and Wisconsin assistant Gary Close.
Scott's departure came as a surprise to the Department of Athletics, and the four-week search that ensued was out of character for the Princeton program. When Thompson left the Tigers for Georgetown prior to the 2004-05 season, Scott was hired as his replacement within a day.
As a four-year starter for the Tigers, Johnson averaged 9.8 points per game over the course of his career, earning Ivy League Player of the Year honors in 1997 and climbing to 23rd on the Princeton all-time scoring list. Johnson played his first three years under Tiger coaching legend Pete Carril before finishing his career with Bill Carmody at the helm.
In 1996, Johnson was a starter for the storied Princeton squad that upset defending national-champion UCLA, 43-41, in the first round of NCAA Tournament.
A native of Towson, Md., Johnson followed his Tiger career by joining Italian professional team Gorizia Pallacanestro, which he led to a Second Division championship. Johnson also played in Spain before joining the Georgetown staff prior to the 2004-05 season.
In March, Johnson helped Thompson propel the Hoyas to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four, earning national attention for the Georgetown program and the version of the Princeton offensive system that they employ.
Johnson could not be reached at his home. Director of Athletics Gary Walters '67 declined multiple requests seeking comment.
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