Avery Johnson is a former NBA'>NBA player and coach. He is currently the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.
Avery Johnson is a former professional basketball player and current head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team. Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended St. Augustine High School. He then attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a four-year starter and two-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection.
Johnson was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1988 NBA'>NBA Draft. He played for the Sonics, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks during his 16-year NBA'>NBA career. He was a member of the Spurs’ 1999 championship team and was named to the NBA'>NBA All-Star team in 2005.
After retiring from the NBA'>NBA in 2004, Johnson began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks. He was promoted to head coach in 2005 and led the Mavericks to the 2006 NBA'>NBA Finals. He was named NBA'>NBA Coach of the Year in 2006.
In 2011, Johnson was hired as the head coach of the New Jersey Nets. He was fired in 2012 and then became an analyst for ESPN. In 2015, Johnson was hired as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team.
Johnson is known for his intense coaching style and his ability to motivate his players. He is also known for his trademark phrase “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.” Johnson is a two-time NBA'>NBA champion and a two-time NBA'>NBA Coach of the Year. He is currently the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team.