View source for Sydney Johnson

{{Short description|American basketball player-coach}}
{{About|the basketball coach|the American football player|Sidney Johnson|the Olympic tug of war athlete|Sidney Johnson (tug of war)|the American gymnast|Sydney Johnson-Scharpf|the valet|Sydney Johnson (valet)}}
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{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Sydney Johnson
| image = Sydney Johnson 2020 Air Force portrait.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Johnson in 2020
| position = Head coach
| team = [[Washington Mystics]]
| league = [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]
| contract = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|4|26}}
| birth_place = [[Lansing, Michigan]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| alma_mater = 
| high_school = 
*[[Moorhead High School|Moorhead]] ([[Moorhead, Minnesota]])
*[[Towson Catholic High School|Towson Catholic]] ([[Towson, Maryland]])
*[[Fork Union Military Academy]]<br>([[Fork Union, Virginia]])
| college = [[Princeton Tigers men's basketball|Princeton]] (1993–1997)
| draft_year = 1997
|career_start = 1997
|career_end = 2004
|coach_start = 2004
|years1 = 1997–1998
|team1 = [[Nuova Pallacanestro Gorizia]]
|years2 = 1998–1999
|team2 = [[Viola Reggio Calabria]]
|years3 = 2000–2002
|team3 = [[S.S. Felice Scandone]]
|years4 = 2003–2004
|team4 = [[Mens Sana Basketball Siena|Montepaschi Siena]]
| cyears1 = 2004–2007
| cteam1 = [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] (assistant)
| cyears2 = 2007–2011
| cteam2 = [[Princeton Tigers men's basketball|Princeton]]
| cyears3 = 2011–2019
| cteam3 = [[Fairfield Stags men's basketball|Fairfield]]
| cyears4 = 2020–2021
| cteam4 = [[Air Force Falcons men's basketball|Air Force]] (AHC)
| cyears5 = 2024
| cteam5 = [[Chicago Sky]] (assistant)
| cyears6 = 2025–present
| cteam6 = [[Washington Mystics]]
| highlights = 
'''As head coach:'''
* [[Ivy League]] regular season ([[2010–11 Ivy League men's basketball season|2011]])
*2× Ivy League Coach of the Year (2010, 2011)
'''As player:'''
*[[Lega Basket Serie A|LBA]] champion ([[2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A|2004]])
*2× [[Serie A2 (basketball)|Serie A2]] champion (1998, 1999)
*[[Ivy League Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Ivy League Player of the Year]] (1997)
}}

'''Sydney Johnson''' (born April 26, 1974) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the [[Washington Mystics]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA). A 1997 Princeton alumnus, Johnson played for the [[Tigers|Princeton Tigers men's basketball]] from 1993 to 1997.<ref name=J9ch/>
 
As a player, he was a member of the [[1995–96 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1995–96]] Ivy League champions and the undefeated (in conference) [[1996–97 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1996–97 Princeton Tigers]]. He earned [[Ivy League Men's Basketball Player of the Year]] recognition for the undefeated 1997 team. He continues to hold the [[Ivy League]] records for consecutive [[Three point shot|three-point shots]] made and most single-game three-point shots made without a miss. He also holds Princeton's record for career [[steal (basketball)|steals]]. His college career was marked by many memorable [[overtime (sports)|overtime]] performances, game-winning shots and game-clinching [[free throws]]. Nonetheless, his greatest recognition came for his defense. During a seven-year professional playing career, he won three championships in Europe. 

After transitioning into coaching, Johnson began as an assistant coach at [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]], where he was part of the [[2006–07 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team|2006–07]] [[Big East Conference]] champions. In 2007, he became the youngest head coach in the Ivy League when hired by Princeton. Over his four-year tenure, he led the Tigers to the 2011 Ivy League title and an NCAA tournament appearance. He then served as head coach for the [[Fairfield Stags men's basketball|Fairfield Stags]] from 2011 to 2019. Johnson worked as associate head coach at [[Air Force Falcons men's basketball|Air Force]] during the 2020–21 season.

Beyond collegiate coaching, Johnson coached [[3x3 basketball]] for [[USA Basketball]] and worked as an assistant coach for the [[Chicago Sky]] in the WNBA.

==Playing career==
Johnson spent much of his childhood in Baltimore.<ref name=UritfD/>  He played his sophomore and junior season of [[high school basketball]] at [[Moorhead High School|Moorhead Senior High School]] in [[Moorhead, Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/118104334.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsX|title=One of ours coaches the Princeton basketball team|access-date=2011-03-18|date=2011-03-16|work=[[Star Tribune]]|author=Souhan, Jim}}</ref> Johnson transferred from Minnesota to [[Towson Catholic High School]] prior to his senior season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/11/12/gene-parker-ex-coach-of-many-sports-at-city-college-dies-of-cancer-at-68/|title=Gene Parker, ex-coach of many sports at City College, dies of cancer at 68|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1991-11-12|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Davis, Sam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-12-05/sports/1991339202_1_donta-bright-dunbar-michael-lloyd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614083927/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-12-05/sports/1991339202_1_donta-bright-dunbar-michael-lloyd|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 14, 2010|title=Dunbar, No. 1 in nation, can expect challenges from several area teams THE BALTIMORE SUN'S 1991–92 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1991-12-05|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Davis, Sam, Rick Belz, Katherine Dunn, Rich Scherr, Derek Toney and Alan Widmann}}</ref>  During the early signing period from November 13 through November 20, 1991, Johnson, who was considering several [[Ivy League]] schools as well as [[Northeastern Huskies men's basketball|Northeastern University]], verbally committed to [[Boston University Terriers men's basketball|Boston University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/11/12/tcs-bishop-johnson-to-sign-with-s-alabama-bu/|title=TC's Bishop, Johnson to sign with S. Alabama, BU|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1991-11-12|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Glassman, Dave}}</ref> On December 1, 1991, Boston University announced that Johnson signed a [[letter of intent]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-12-01/sports/1991335115_1_washington-redskins-seattle-seahawks-letter-of-intent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921025736/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-12-01/sports/1991335115_1_washington-redskins-seattle-seahawks-letter-of-intent|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2012|title=BasketballTri-City Chinook (CBA) – Signed former NBA G...|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1991-12-01|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> During his senior season, Johnson lead Towson to the Baltimore Catholic Basketball League Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/02/24/towson-catholic-beats-gibbons-for-title-defense-is-key-to-73-60-victory/|title=Towson Catholic beats Gibbons for title Defense is key to 73–60 victory|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1992-05-24|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Clark, Bob}}</ref>  Following the season, he earned Baltimore Catholic Basketball League All-league first-team recognition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/02/25/3-baltimore-players-picked-for-capital-classic-team/|title=3 Baltimore players picked for Capital Classic team|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1992-05-25|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Davis, Sam}}</ref> He was also selected to participate in the Rodney Beasley East vs. West All-Star Games, sponsored by the Baltimore Metro Coaches Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/04/11/east-west-all-stars-at-dunbar-tonight/|title=East, West all-stars at Dunbar tonight|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1992-04-11|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> He was also a second team All-metro selection and following his 1992 graduation attended the [[Fork Union Military Academy]] in Virginia for a [[postgraduate year]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/03/19/the-point-is-daniel-won-coach-of-the-year/|title=The point is, Daniel won Coach of the Year|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1993-03-19|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Toney, Derek}}</ref> In April 1993, after playing a year a Fork Union, Johnson signed a letter of intent with [[Herb Sendek]]'s [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball|Miami (OH)]] team, but upon being accepted by [[Princeton University]] in June of that year, he revoked his letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0F51A9078D6360F0&p_docnum=1|title=NCAA Committee Says Trim Athletic Budgets|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1993-06-25|work=[[Dayton Daily News]]}}</ref>

Johnson showed strong leadership skills early at Princeton and is the only three-time captain in university history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/15/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-30-second-weave-is-not-for-everybody.html|title=Sports of The Times; The 30-Second Weave Is Not for Everybody|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1998-03-15|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Vecsey, George}}</ref> During his freshman year, he was twice named Ivy League Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week for the [[1993–94 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1993–94 team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-02-03/sports/1994034047_1_arbitration-ivy-league-kenny-rogers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921030044/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-02-03/sports/1994034047_1_arbitration-ivy-league-kenny-rogers|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2012|title=Auto racingHoosier Racing Tire – Announced that Darrell...|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1994-02-03|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-03-09/sports/1994068060_1_john-paxson-miami-dolphins-ivy-league|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921030248/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-03-09/sports/1994068060_1_john-paxson-miami-dolphins-ivy-league|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2012|title=Auto racingI= Donlavey Racing – NASCAR team named Mike...|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1994-03-09|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/07/sports/college-basketball-purdue-moves-into-first-in-big-ten.html?|title=College Basketball; Purdue Moves Into First In Big Ten|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1994-03-07|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  That season the 11–3 Tigers could not match the [[1993–94 Penn Quakers men's basketball team|Penn Quakers]] who were led by [[Jerome Allen (basketball)|Jerome Allen]] and [[Matt Maloney]].<ref name=TCR/> Johnson provided heroics for the [[1994–95 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1994–95 Tigers]] on a couple of occasions.  On December 27, 1994, he hit what ''[[The New York Times]]'' described as "a falling-down 3-point basket with three seconds left in regulation".  The basket forced [[overtime (sports)|overtime]].  At the end of the third overtime period Johnson converted two foul shots with three seconds left to cement a 71–66 victory over {{cbb link|1994|sex=men|team=Texas A&M Aggies|school=Texas A&M University|title=Texas A&M}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/28/sports/college-basketball-sheffer-breathes-life-into-huskies.html?|title=College Basketball; Sheffer Breathes Life Into Huskies|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1994-12-28|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Later that season, he set a career-high with a 25-point performance against {{cbb link|1994|sex=men|team=Harvard Crimson|school=Harvard University|title=Harvard}} in a double-overtime victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/08/sports/college-basketball-manhattan-escapes-rutgers-in-overtime.html?|title=College Basketball; Manhattan Escapes Rutgers in Overtime|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1995-01-08|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>   He recorded seven steals in a game against {{cbb link|1994|sex=men|team=Brown Bears|school=Brown University|title=Brown}} on February 3, 1995, which is one shy of the school record.<ref name=I&TR/>  Again the Tigers could not get past [[1994–95 Penn Quakers men's basketball team|Penn]].<ref name=TCR/>

As a junior, he was named Ivy League Player of the week for the second weekend in February as he led the team on both ends of the court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/02/17/parker-excels-in-nova-scotia/|title=Parker excels in Nova Scotia|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-02-17|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Brown, Doug}}</ref> The following week, he posted 21 points against {{cbb link|1995|sex=men|team=Yale Bulldogs|school=Yale University|title=Yale}}, which established his season-high.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/18/sports/college-basketball-villanova-down-by-13-roars-back-to-defeat-pitt.html?|title=College Basketball;Villanova, Down by 13, Roars Back to Defeat Pitt|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-02-18|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  Even after Allen and Maloney graduated, Princeton's only two losses were to {{cbb link|1995|sex=men|team=Penn Quakers|school=University of Pennsylvania|title=Penn}}.<ref name=TCR/>  After Princeton and Penn ended the 1995–96 season tied as Ivy League Co-Champions, Johnson made the decisive three point shot with one minute and four seconds remaining in overtime in the [[one-game playoff]], corralled a defensive rebound, added a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left and then made a steal.<ref name=CBACVCSG>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/10/sports/college-basketball-after-clinching-victory-carril-says-goodbye.html?|title=College Basketball;After Clinching Victory, Carril Says Goodbye|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-10|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Smith, Claire}}</ref><ref name=PtIt6wlcCacaOv>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/03/10/princeton-takes-ivy-title-63-56-will-lose-coach-carrils-announcement-comes-after-ot-victory/|title=Princeton takes Ivy title, 63–56, will lose coach Carril's announcement comes after OT victory|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-10|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Brown, Doug}}</ref><ref name=FTL/>  The win ended an eight-game losing streak to Penn.<ref name=FTL>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&SPSID=46548&SPID=4231&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=1310534|title=Follow The Leader|access-date=2011-03-18|date=2007-11-02|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]}}</ref> The win earned the team the conference automatic bid to the [[1996 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1996 NCAA tournament]] and following the game [[head coach]] [[Pete Carril]] announced his retirement.<ref name=CBACVCSG/><ref name=PtIt6wlcCacaOv/>  The thirteen seeded team was matched against the [[1995 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|defending national champion]] UCLA Bruins in its first round pairing.  He was the team's leading scorer with 11 points in the 43–41 first round victory over [[1995–96 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]] in the 1996 NCAA Tournament.  The team fell behind 41–34 with over six minutes remaining. His 3-of-7 three point shooting performance included a shot to bring the team to within 4.  He also made the game-tying [[layup]] to knot the score at 41.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/15/sports/ncaa-tournament-southeast-shock-waves-carril-and-princeton-stun-ucla.html?|title=NCAA Tournament: Southeast;Shock Waves: Carril and Princeton Stun U.C.L.A.|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-15|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Moran, Malcolm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/03/15/princeton-dethrones-ucla-43-41-retiring-carril-again-works-magic-slowing-bruins-to-a-halt-tigers-score-last-9-points-baltimores-johnson-scores-11-to-lead-victors/|title=Princeton dethrones UCLA, 43–41 Retiring Carril again works magic: slowing Bruins to a halt: Tigers score last 9 points: Baltimore's Johnson scores 11 to lead victors|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-15|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Markus, Don}}</ref> He also defended [[Toby Bailey]]'s last second shot after Princeton took the lead with 3.9 seconds remaining.<ref name=FTL/> During the game, UCLA jumped out to a 7–0 lead at the first TV [[Time-out (sport)|timeout]],<ref name=J9ch/> and Johnson's leadership held the team together early when UCLA looked strong.<ref name=NTPFHaGA/>

As a senior, his new head coach, [[Bill Carmody]] described him as a shutdown defender.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/03/07/princeton-could-prove-tourney-tiger/|title=Princeton could prove tourney tiger|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-07|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=McMullen, Paul}}</ref> He was 1997 Ivy League Men's basketball Player of the Year. Johnson earned the award for his defense and was the first winner with a single-digit scoring average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/12/sports/princeton-is-pesky-as-ever.html?|title=Princeton Is Pesky As Ever|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-12|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Berkow, Ira}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/03/10/east-1604/|title=East|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-10|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> He scored 15 on February 22, when Princeton clinched the Ivy League regular season championship by defeating {{cbb link|1996|sex=men|team=Dartmouth Big Green|school=Dartmouth College|title=Dartmouth}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/23/sports/princeton-clinches-the-ivy-league-title.html|title=Princeton Clinches the Ivy League Title|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-02-23|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  The following week, he established Ivy League records for most consecutive [[three-point field goal]]s made, with 11, and the most single-game three-point field goals made with no misses (6 for 6) against [[Columbia Lions men's basketball]] on February 28, 1997, and [[Cornell Big Red men's basketball]] (first 5) on March 1, 1997.<ref name=I&TR/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/01/sports/long-island-outshines-marist-and-the-crowd.html|title=Long Island Outshines Marist and the Crowd|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-01|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Mallozzi, Vincent M.}}</ref><ref name=MIR/> He had twelve points in the regular season finale during which Princeton tied the school record with its nineteenth consecutive win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/05/sports/results-plus-935166.html|title=Results Plus|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-05|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In the [[1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1997 NCAA tournament]] opening round matchup against the [[1996–97 California Golden Bears men's basketball team|Cal Bears]], when a final second pass was intercepted, he attempted to shoulder the blame with the press.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/14/sports/two-upstarts-go-down-fighting.html|title=Two Upstarts Go Down Fighting|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1997-03-14|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Araton, Harvey}}</ref> He retired as the Princeton University all-time leader in [[steal (basketball)|steals]].<ref name=I&TR>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3749717|title=Men's Basketball Record Book • Individual & Team Records|access-date=2010-03-23|date=2009-06-12|author=Princeton Athletic Communications|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=Princeton University}}</ref>  His 169 total steals were fifth in Ivy League history at the end of his career and was eleventh at the end of the [[2009-10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season]].<ref name=MIR>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/media_guide/06_MBkb_Records_10-11.pdf|title=Men's Individual Records|access-date=2011-03-12|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131104205/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/media_guide/06_MBkb_Records_10-11.pdf|archivedate=January 31, 2016}}</ref>  He retired second in Princeton history in career three point shots and fourth in career assists.<ref name=I&TR/> When Johnson established his Ivy League three-point shot records, the three-point line was at {{height|ft=19|in=9|abbr=no}}, but for the [[2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season]], the [[NCAA]] men's basketball three-point line was extended to {{height|ft=20|in=9|abbr=no}}.<ref name=CHANGE>{{Cite web | last = Katz | first = Andy | authorlink = Andy Katz | title = Committee extends men's 3-point line to 20-9| publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = May 3, 2007 | url = https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=2859065 | access-date = February 8, 2024}}</ref> For the [[2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season]], the line was further extended to {{height|ft=22|in=1.75|abbr=no}}.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/men-s-basketball-3-point-line-extended-international-distance |title=Men's basketball 3-point line extended to international distance |publisher=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] |date=June 5, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/basketball/rules/common/PRXBB_CourtDiagram.pdf |title=NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Court |publisher=NCAA |date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref> {{Asof|2024|2|12|df=US}}, Johnson's 11 consecutive three-point shots record stood alone in Ivy League history, but 3 subsequent players had tied his 6&ndash;6 single-game performance (Christian Webster &mdash; [[2009–10 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]] -vs- Appalachian St., March 27, 2010; [[Siyani Chambers]] &mdash; [[2013–14 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]] -vs- Vermont, Dec. 21, 2013; [[Devin Cannady]] &mdash; [[2017–18 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|Princeton]] -vs- Fairleigh Dickinson, Nov. 26, 2017). Although Johnsons career steals total had fallen to 12th in the Ivy League, it remained the highest total by a Princeton Tiger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ivyleague.com/documents/2024/2/12/MBB_Record_Book_23_24.pdf|title=Ivy Men's Basketball Record Book 2023&ndash;2024|publisher=[[IvyLeague.com]]|accessdate=May 12, 2024|date=February 12, 2024}}</ref>

After writing his senior thesis on [[Kenya]]n education under British colonial rule and graduating with a [[bachelor's degree]] in history, Johnson declined the [[postgraduate scholarship]] that he was awarded and played five years in Italy followed by two in Spain.<ref name=J9ch/> Johnson played professional basketball in the [[Lega Basket Serie A]] and [[Legadue Basket]] in [[Italy]] and [[Liga Española de Baloncesto]] in [[Spain]], one season each for [[Gorizia Pallacanestro A2]], [[Viola Reggio Calabria]], [[Adecco Milano/Ducato Siena]], [[Casademont Girona]] and [[Montepaschi Siena]].<ref name="goprincetontigers.com">[http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873840 Princeton Office of Athletic Communications, "Sydney Johnson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112848/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873840 |date=2011-07-11 }}</ref><ref>[http://libweb5.princeton.edu/theses/index.htm Princeton University Libraries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527042623/http://libweb5.princeton.edu/theses/index.htm |date=2019-05-27 }};</ref> He played two seasons with the Avellino in Italy from 2000 to 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46548&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3753629|title=Sydney Johnson's Coaching Tree|access-date=2011-03-19|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314065829/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46548&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3753629|archive-date=2012-03-14}}</ref> He had a seven-year professional career before becoming a coach.<ref name=J9ch>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2007/04/23/18198/|title=Johnson '97 comes home: Former Georgetown assistant accepts men's basketball head coach position, meets with team briefly|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2007-04-23|work=[[Daily Princetonian]]|author=Orland, Rachel}}</ref><ref name=J9ohhp>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2007/04/19/18165/|title=Johnson '97 offered head hoops position|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2007-04-17|work=[[Daily Princetonian]]|author=Hart, Jennifer}}</ref> In 1998, he won an Italian Second Division championship as a starter for Gorizia Pallacanestro. In 1999, he earned another league championship with for Reggio Calabria, and in his final professional season in 2004 he earned a league title with Siena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873355|title=Sydney Johnson '97 Introduced As Franklin C. Cappon-Edward G. Green '40 Head Coach of Men's Basketball at Princeton University|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2007-04-23|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711113020/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873355|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref> With Reggio Calabria, he teamed with [[Brent Scott (basketball)|Brent Scott]], [[Brian Oliver (basketball, born 1968)|Brian Oliver]], and [[Manu Ginóbili]] to win a championship.<ref name=TCR/>

==Coaching career==

=== Georgetown (2004–2007) ===
Johnson was then brought on as an assistant to the newly appointed head coach at [[Georgetown University|Georgetown]], John Thompson III, in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/sports/transactions-548316.html|title=Transactions|access-date=2011-03-12|date=2004-08-06|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  The team was coming off of a losing record and made it to a [[2005 National Invitation Tournament]].<ref name=J9ch/> The team reached the Sweet Sixteen round of the [[2006 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873840|title=Sydney Johnson|access-date=2011-03-18|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112848/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=873840|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref> During his tenure at Georgetown, he helped coach the team to an overall 72–30 record over 3 seasons and the [[2006–07 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team|2006–07 team]]  the [[2006–07 Big East Conference men's basketball season|2007 Big East regular season]] championship, the [[2007 Big East men's basketball tournament]] championship, and a trip to the [[Final Four]] of the [[2007 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]].<ref name="goprincetontigers.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/03/15/georgetown-stands-tall-again-among-elite/|title=Georgetown stands tall again among elite: Surging at the right time, East's No. 2 seed aims for return to glory under ex-coach's son: Ncaa Tournament|access-date=2011-03-12|date=2007-03-15|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Barker, Jeff}}</ref>

=== Princeton (2007–2011) ===
When Scott abandoned his struggling Princeton team to coach at Denver in 2007, [[athletic director]] [[Gary Walters]] hired Johnson to take over the program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06EEDC163EF932A15757C0A9619C8B63|title=Transactions|access-date=2011-03-12|date=2007-04-21|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/21/sports/basketball/21hoops.html|title=Oden Announces That He'll Enter N.B.A. Draft |access-date=2011-03-12|date=2007-04-21|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Johnson emerged from a field of [[Princeton offense]] veterans that included Mike Brennan, Robert Burke, [[Craig Robinson (basketball)|Craig Robinson]], [[Bill Carmody]], [[Armond Hill]], [[Chris Mooney (basketball)|Chris Mooney]], and [[Mitch Henderson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2007/03/27/17801/|title=Potential coaches line up|access-date=2011-03-16|date=2007-03-27|work=[[Daily Princetonian]]|author=Rubin, Adam}}</ref> Johnson's demeanor as a coach was said by players to be more benevolent than his predecessor, [[Joe Scott (basketball coach)|Joe Scott]], who left for the [[University of Denver]] after compiling a losing record in three years at Princeton.<ref name=NPCAtRT/> He was regarded as an inexperienced coach because he only had three years of experience as an assistant coach.<ref name=J9ch/><ref name=J9ohhp/>  He became the youngest coach in the Ivy League.<ref name=J9ch/> Johnson inherited a team that had gone 2–12 in conference the prior season and 38–45 overall during the prior three season.<ref name=NPCAtRT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/sports/ncaabasketball/14princeton.html|title=New Princeton Coach Aims to Revive Tradition|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2007-11-14|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Finley, Bill}}</ref> Among the lowlights that the team had achieved during the Scott era was a 21-point performance that tied the record for fewest points since the inception of the three-point shot and the [[shot clock]].<ref name=SCHPiToIR>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/sports/ncaabasketball/06princeton.html|title=Second-Year Coach Has Princeton in Thick of Ivy Race|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2009-03-05|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Finley, Bill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=253480163|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106061025/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=253480163|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|title=Princeton loses lowest-scoring D-I game since 3-point line|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2005-12-14|work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  The team had ranked last in the nation in scoring in both 2006 and 2007.<ref name=PMItFL/> Although race is an issue among collegiate coaching ranks, in Johnson's first year, he was one of six African-American men's basketball head coaches in the 8-team Ivy League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/sports/ncaafootball/08yale.html|title=Yale Hires New Coach and Racial Issue Fades for the Ivys |access-date=2011-03-13|date=2009-01-07|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Robinson, Joshua}}</ref>  Johnson employs the Princeton offense.<ref name=TQQ&A>{{Cite web|url=http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/the-quad-q-a-princeton-coach-sydney-johnson/|title=The Quad Q.& A.: Princeton Coach Sydney Johnson|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2009-02-10|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Plutnicki, Ken}}</ref> Former Tiger stars [[Brian Earl]] and [[Scott Greenman]] were among Johnson's assistants at Princeton.

After a tumultuous first season of rebuilding during which it posted a 3–11 record, Princeton began to show great improvement in 2008–2009. Even with only three games left on their schedule and a 7–4 conference record, they still controlled their own destiny for a possible postseason bid.<ref name=SCHPiToIR/> They finished 13–14 with an 8–6 record in the Ivy League, which tied them with {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=Yale Bulldogs|school=Yale University|title=Yale}} for second place. Along the way, the Tigers defeated {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=Fordham Rams|school=Fordham University|title=Fordham}}, {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=UNC Greensboro Spartans|school=University of North Carolina at Greensboro|title=UNC-Greensboro}}, and {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=Lehigh Engineers|school=Lehigh University|title=Lehigh}} during their non-conference schedule and also notched wins over {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=Harvard Crimson|school=Harvard University|title=Harvard}} twice.  One highlight of the season was an early season victory over eventual Ivy League champs [[2008–09 Cornell Big Red men's basketball team|Cornell]] who had possessed a 19-game Ivy League winning streak.<ref name=TQQ&A/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/sports/ncaabasketball/07hoops.html|title=South Florida Upsets No. 8 Marquette |access-date=2011-03-13|date=2009-02-06|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290370163|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211164707/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290370163|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2009|title=Princeton 61, Cornell 41|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2009-02-06|work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The Ivy League does not name a coach of the year in any sport, but [[Collegeinsider.com]] named Johnson Ivy League Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=4231&SPSID=46548&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3704004|title=CollegeInsider.com Names Sydney Johnson Ivy Coach of the Year|access-date=2011-03-14|date=2009-03-30|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=Princeton Athletic Communications|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112948/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=4231&SPSID=46548&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3704004|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref>

During Johnson's third season, the [[2009–10 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|2009–10 team]] rebounded from a 2–4 start to win 20 of its final 25 games and earn a berth in the [[2010 College Basketball Invitational]]. Princeton's 22 wins were its most since 1999, as were its two postseason wins, and the postseason berth was its first since 2004.  In the March 17, opening round game at home, Princeton defeated the [[2009–10 Duquesne Dukes men's basketball team|Duquesne Dukes]] 65–51.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=300760163|title=Duquesne 51 (16–16, 7–9 A 10); Princeton 65 (21–8, 11–3 Ivy)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-17|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  The game was Princeton's first postseason appearance since the [[2003–04 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|2003–04 team]] went to the [[2004 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] and the first postseason victory since the [[1998–99 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1998–99 team]] won two games in the [[1999 National Invitation Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46553&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=204910872|title=Men's Basketball Gets First Postseason Win Since '99 (with video)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-17|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]}}</ref>  On March 22, the team defeated [[2009–10 IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball team|IUPUI]] 74–68 in double [[overtime (sports)|overtime]] at [[IUPUI Gymnasium]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], Indiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=300810085|title=Princeton 74 (22–8, 11–3 Ivy); IUPUI 68 (25–11, 15–3 Summit)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-22|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  The Tigers had previously won in the postseason in Indianapolis when the Johnson-led 1995–96 team pulled off a first round upset of the national defending champion UCLA in the 1996 Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46553&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=204913960|title=Men's Basketball Outlasts IUPUI 74–68 in Double OT (with video)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-22|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]}}</ref> In the tournament semifinals the team was defeated by [[2009–10 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team|Saint Louis University]] 69–59 at [[Chaifetz Arena]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], Missouri on March 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=300830139|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016114202/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=300830139|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 16, 2012|title=Princeton 59 (22–9, 11–3 Ivy); Saint Louis 69 (23–11, 11–5 A 10)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-24|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46553&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=204915546|title=Saint Louis Ends Men's Basketball's Postseason Run, 69–59 (with video)|access-date=2010-10-07|date=2010-03-25|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]}}</ref> Johnson again earned Collegeinsider.com Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=4231&SPSID=46548&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=204905496|title=Sydney Johnson Honored by CollegeInsider.com|access-date=2011-03-14|date=2010-03-10|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=Princeton Athletic Communications|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112956/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=4231&SPSID=46548&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=204905496|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref>

In 2010, Johnson tweaked the motion Princeton offense to be a bit more uptempo, resulting in more possessions and higher scores.<ref name=PMItFL>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703380104576015680481303852 |title=Princeton Moves Into the Fast(er) Lane: The Tigers Are Using the Same Intricate Half-Court Offense They Made Famous—They're Just Pushing the Tempo More|access-date=2011-03-14|date=2010-12-14|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|author=Cohen, Ben}}</ref> On March 5, 2010, the [[2010–11 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|2010–11 team]] had a chance to clinch an outright [[2010–11 Ivy League men's basketball season]] championship, but lost to [[2010–11 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]] who clinched a share of the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310640108|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106052050/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310640108|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|title=Harvard tops Princeton 79–67 to share Ivy title|access-date=2011-03-06|date=2011-03-05|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Following the game, Johnson made his team sit on the bench and watch the Harvard fans celebrate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/sports/ncaabasketball/12ivys.html|title=Ivy Champions to Settle Score at Yale|access-date=2011-05-07|date=2011-03-11|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Pennington, Bill}}</ref>  On March 8, Princeton defeated Penn to force a one-game playoff at the [[Payne Whitney Gymnasium]] in [[New Haven, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310670219|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311202440/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310670219|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2011|title=Princeton 70, Penn 58|access-date=2011-03-09|date=2011-03-08|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> On March 12, Princeton earned the Ivy League's automatic bid to the [[2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]], making the [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] for the first time since 2004 and 24th time in school history by defeating Harvard 63–62.<ref name=PKHoljteNb>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310710163|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315082919/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310710163|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 15, 2011|title=Princeton KO's Harvard on last-second jumper to earn NCAA bid|access-date=2011-03-12|date=2011-03-12|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Princeton was awarded the number thirteen seed and a first round match against the [[2010-11 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team|Kentucky Wildcats]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=6212994|title=2011 NCAA tournament selections|access-date=2011-03-13|date=2011-03-13|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Kentucky had eliminated Ivy League representative [[2009–10 Cornell Big Red men's basketball team|Cornell]] the prior season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/looking-ahead-to-thursdays-games/|title=Looking Ahead to Thursday's Games|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2011-03-16|author=Ennis, Connor|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  Kentucky emerged victorious by a 59–57 margin on a last second layup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310760096|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320211028/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310760096|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2011|title=Brandon Knight's only basket lifts Kentucky past Princeton in final seconds|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2011-03-17|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/18kentucky.html|title=Pushed by Princeton, Kentucky Wins in Final Seconds|access-date=2011-03-19|date=2011-03-18|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=McMurphy, Brett}}</ref> He was named as a finalist for the [[Hugh Durham Award]], the [[Ben Jobe Award]], and the [[Skip Prosser Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=205121952|title=Sydney Johnson Named Finalist for Trio of Coaching Awards|access-date=2011-05-07|date=2011-03-23|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=Princeton University|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314065933/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=205121952|archive-date=2012-03-14}}</ref>

=== Fairfield (2011–2019) ===
[[File:Sydney Johnson.jpg|thumb|right|Johnson coaching for Fairfield in 2014]]
In April 2011, Johnson accepted a head coaching position at Fairfield University, replacing [[Ed Cooley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=6293667|title=Sydney Johnson to coach Fairfield|access-date=2011-04-10|date=2011-04-05|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/sports/ncaabasketball/05sportsbriefs-vcu.html|title=V.C.U. Extends Smart's Deal|access-date=2011-04-10|date=2011-04-05|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He coached the [[2011–12 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|2011–12 Stags]] to the semifinals of the [[2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament]] where they lost to [[2011–12 Mercer Bears men's basketball team|Mercer]], after defeating [[2011–12 Yale Bulldogs men's basketball team|Yale]], [[2011–12 Manhattan Jaspers basketball team|Manhattan]] and [[2011–12 Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball team|Robert Morris]] to finish with a 22&ndash;15 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=320842217|title=Mercer 64 (26-11, 13-5 A-Sun); Fairfield 59 (22-15, 12-6 MAAC)|date=2012-03-24|access-date=2012-03-26|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Mercer went on to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=320880328|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329153603/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=320880328|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2012|title=Mercer hangs on at Utah State to win CIT final|date=2012-03-28|access-date=2012-03-29|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> For the second season in a row, he was a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fairfieldstags.com/news/2012/3/9/MBB_0309121106.aspx|title=Sydney Johnson Named Finalist For Ben Jobe Award|access-date=2012-04-02|date=2012-03-09|work=FairfieldStags.com|publisher=[[Fairfield University]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708063335/http://fairfieldstags.com/news/2012/3/9/MBB_0309121106.aspx|archive-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> The [[2012–13 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|2012–13 team]] started the season 10&ndash;10 (2&ndash;6) before winning five consecutive and seven out of eight [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]] games. The team then lost its two final conference games to finish 9&ndash;9 in conference. Eventually the team finished 19&ndash;15 (9&ndash;9).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/2217/year/2013/fairfield-stags|title=Fairfield Stags Schedule - 2012-13|access-date=2013-03-20|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

On March 11, 2019, Fairfield fired Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Fairfield-fires-basketball-coach-Sydney-Johnson-13679128.php|title=Fairfield fires basketball coach Sydney Johnson|access-date=March 12, 2019|date=March 11, 2019|work=[[Connecticut Post]]|author=Doyle, Paul}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fairfieldstags.com/news/2019/3/11/fairfield-announces-change-in-leadership-of-mens-basketball-program.aspx|title=Fairfield Announces Change in Leadership of Men's Basketball Program|access-date=March 12, 2019|date=March 11, 2019|website=FairfieldStags.com}}</ref> He finished at Fairfield with an eight-year record of 116–147.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26229767/fairfield-fires-johnson-9-22-season|title=Fairfield fires Johnson after 9-22 season|access-date=March 12, 2019|date=March 11, 2019|publisher=[[ESPN]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

=== Air Force (2020–2021) ===
Johnson was named associate head coach on former Princeton basketball player [[Joe Scott (basketball coach)|Joe Scott]]'s staff at [[Air Force Falcons men's basketball|Air Force]] for the 2020&ndash;21 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goairforcefalcons.com/news/2020/4/9/sydney-johnson-named-air-force-mens-basketball-associate-head-coach.aspx|title=Sydney Johnson named Air Force men's basketball associate head coach|access-date=April 19, 2020|date=April 9, 2020|website=Goairforcefalcons.com|publisher=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref>

===USA Basketball===
Johnson served as a [[USA Basketball]] scout for the February 2020 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifying Team.  He later served as head coach of the July 2023 3x3 Men's U23 Nations League Team and the gold medal winning [[2023 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup]] team. Then he served as  an assistant coach for the [[2025 FIBA AmeriCup qualification|2025 AmeriCup Qualifying Team]] in February 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/staff-members/sydney-johnson|title=Sydney Johnson|publisher=[[USA Basketball]]|accessdate=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Chicago Sky (2024)===
On February 26, 2024, Johnson was added to the staff of the [[Chicago Sky]] as an assistant on [[Teresa Weatherspoon]]'s coaching staff.<reF>{{cite web|url=https://sky.wnba.com/news/chicago-sky-add-sydney-johnson-as-assistant-coach/|title=Chicago Sky Add Sydney Johnson as Assistant Coach|accessdate=May 9, 2024|date=February 26, 2024|publisher=[[WNBA.com]]}}</ref>

=== Washington Mystics (2025–present) ===
On December 23, 2024, Johnson was named head coach of the [[Washington Mystics]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Washington Mystics Announce New Leadership|url=https://mystics.wnba.com/news/washington-mystics-announce-new-leadership|website=mystics.wnba.com|date=December 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mystics hire Wideman as GM, Johnson as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/43128760/mystics-hire-jamila-wideman-gm-sydney-johnson-coach|date=December 23, 2024|access-date=December 24, 2024|website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Johnson's history professor father, Leroy, divorced from his mother when Johnson was young.  He grew up in a series of college towns.<ref name=TCR/> Johnson's father played basketball for [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]] in the late 1950s.<ref name=NTPFHaGA>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/16/sports/ncaa-tournament-princeton-finally-has-a-good-answer.html|title=NCAA Tournament;Princeton Finally Has a Good Answer|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-16|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Moran, Malcolm}}</ref>  He was also one of the first Americans to play professionally in France.<ref name=TCR>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/archive_new/PAW07-08/05-1121/features_captain.html?SPID=4231&SPSID=46548&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600|title=The Captain Returns: Basketball's Sydney Johnson '97 has been 'a coach all along'|access-date=2011-03-17|date=2007-11-21|work=[[Princeton Alumni Weekly]]|author=Tomlinson, Brett}}</ref>  His brother Stephen was on the [[1992–93 California Golden Bears men's basketball team|California Bears]] team that defeated the two-time defending champion [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball]] team in the [[1993 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1993 NCAA tournament]].<ref name=UritfD>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/03/16/upsets-run-in-this-family-duke-now-ucla-princetons-sydney-johnson-shares-ousting-a-defending-champion-with-his-older-brother/|title=Upsets run in this family Duke, now UCLA: Princeton's Sydney Johnson shares ousting a defending champion with his older brother.|access-date=2011-03-12|date=1996-03-16|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|author=Markus, Don}}</ref> While at Princeton, Johnson was a member of the [[Cap and Gown Club]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeton.edu/reports/2010/ectf/appendices/|title=Report of the Task Force on Relationships between the University and the Eating Clubs|access-date=2011-05-07|date=2010-10-27|publisher=The Trustees of Princeton University}}</ref>  Johnson met his wife Jennifer (''[[née]]'' Zarr) Johnson when they were freshmen in Princeton's [[First College]]. When he was initially hired by Princeton the couple had two children: 2-year-old son, Jalen, and newborn daughter, Julia.<ref name=TCR/>

Johnson had been very involved with the university as a whole during his head coaching career, participating in a task force charged with surveying the impact of Princeton's [[eating club (Princeton University)|eating clubs]]  on campus life, and sitting with his players in the student section at many home [[American football|football]] games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2009/09/30/23944/|title=U. announces members of eating clubs task force|work=[[The Daily Princetonian]]|date=2009-09-30|author=Oppenheimer, Josh|access-date=2011-05-07}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Princeton Tigers men's basketball|Princeton Tigers]]
 | conference = [[Ivy League]]
 | startyear  = 2007
 | endyear    = 2011
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2007–08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2007–08]]
 | name         = Princeton
 | overall      = 6–23<ref name=MBRBATR>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=3749695|title=Men's Basketball Record Book • All-Time Results |access-date=2011-05-07|website=GoPrincetonTigers.com|publisher=[[Princeton University]]}}</ref>
 | conference   = 3–11
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2008–09]]
 | name         = Princeton
 | overall      = 13–14<ref name=MBRBATR/>
 | conference   = 8–6
 | confstanding = T–2nd
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2009–10]]
 | name         = [[2009–10 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|Princeton]]
 | overall      = 22–9<ref name=MBRBATR/>
 | conference   = 11–3
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | postseason   = [[2010 College Basketball Invitational|CBI semifinal]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2010–11]]
 | name         = [[2010–11 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|Princeton]]
 | overall      = 25–7<ref name=MBRBATR/>
 | conference   = 12–2
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | postseason   = [[2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Round of 64]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Princeton
 | overall    = 66–53 ({{Winning percentage|66|53}})
 | confrecord = 34–22 ({{Winning percentage|66|53}})
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Fairfield Stags men's basketball|Fairfield Stags]]
 | conference = [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]]
 | startyear  = 2011
 | endyear    = 2019
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2011–12]]
 | name         = [[2011–12 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 22–15
 | conference   = 12–6
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | postseason   = [[2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament|CIT semifinal]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2012–13]]
 | name         = [[2012–13 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 19–16
 | conference   = 9–9
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2013–14]]
 | name         = [[2013–14 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 7–25
 | conference   = 4–16
 | confstanding = 10th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2014–15]]
 | name         = [[2014–15 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 7–24
 | conference   = 5–15
 | confstanding = T–10th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2015–16]]
 | name         = [[2015–16 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 19–14
 | conference   = 12–8
 | confstanding = T–4th
 | postseason   = [[2016 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament|CIT first round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2016–17]]
 | name         = [[2016–17 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 16–15
 | conference   = 11–9
 | confstanding = 5th
 | postseason   = [[2017 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament|CIT first round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2017–18]]
 | name         = [[2017–18 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 17–16
 | conference   = 9–9
 | confstanding = T–5th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2018–19]]
 | name         = [[2018–19 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team|Fairfield]]
 | overall      = 9–22
 | conference   = 6–12
 | confstanding = T–9th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name         = Fairfield
 | overall      = 116–147 ({{Winning percentage|116|147}})
 | confrecord   = 68–84 ({{Winning percentage|68|84}})
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
 | overall = 182–200 ({{Winning percentage|182|200}})
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170410133018/http://www.fairfieldstags.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32500&ATCLID=209367988 Fairfield profile]

{{Washington Mystics current roster}}
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{{Washington Mystics}}
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}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Sydney}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
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[[Category:African-American basketball coaches]]
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