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NORMAL, Ill. – Leah Johnson was introduced as the seventh head coach in the history of the Illinois State volleyball team at a press conference Wednesday in the Hancock Stadium Club.
"We conducted an efficient search to find the best person to lead our volleyball program to compete for Missouri Valley championships and postseason opportunities," Illinois State Director of Athletics Larry Lyons said. "At the same time, we focused on finding the best person to continue our strong record of academic success and personal development of the young women in our program.
"Leah Johnson brings these qualities, plus the experience of playing and coaching in The Valley, and we are very pleased Leah is joining the Redbird family."
Johnson comes to Illinois State from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she spent the past six seasons as head coach. She was most recently named the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year, while leading SIUE to the OVC Tournament's championship match for the second time in program history.
Johnson has previously served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame (2010), Missouri State (2008-09) and Texas-Pan American (2007). Johnson played collegiately at Missouri State (2000-03) and was part of a conference championship squad in 2003.
"It is an honor to call myself a Redbird," Johnson said. "It is undoubtedly the rich traditions and history of success that attracted me to Illinois State initially. With each conversation and meeting, it became apparent that the vision and plan for the future is just as rich and exciting. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Larry Lyons and Deputy Director of Athletics Leanna Bordner, as well as the entire leadership team, for this exciting opportunity."
In six years at SIUE, Johnson guided the team through its transition from Division II to Division I, most recently leading the Cougars a top 100 final RPI in 2016. Johnson directed the Cougars to 22 victories last fall, the most by an SIUE team in its Division I tenure. Three of her players were named to the all-conference team, while two earned all-tournament team accolades.
Prior to her time at SIUE, Johnson spent the 2010 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame, where she executed practice plans, provided scouting reports and led film sessions, while working closely with defensive players and primary passers.
Johnson spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Missouri State, and helped the team to an MVC Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2008. Johnson played key roles in recruiting, player development, marketing and alumni relations, while managing a budget and logistics for team travel and equipment.
Johnson got her start in collegiate coach at UT-Pan American in 2007. Johnson's responsibilities with the team included recruiting, scouting and training. She served as the team's interim head coach at the Great West Conference Tournament.
As a student-athlete at Missouri State, Johnson served as a team captain and helped guide the Bears to four-straight seasons with 20 or more wins. She ranks among Missouri State's all-time and single-season digs leaders, was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team and served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative.
Johnson earned a bachelor's degree at Missouri State in 2004. She earned a master's degree from Missouri State in 2006 after serving a graduate assistantship in the athletics department's development office.
She is married to A.J. Weissler and the couple has two children, Edith and PJ.
Johnson inherits a team that posted an overall record of 17-15 in 2016. The Redbirds' 2017 schedule was announced earlier this month, and includes a home tournament Sept. 8-9, and a full Missouri Valley Conference slate before Illinois State hosts the league tournament, Nov. 23-25 at Redbird Arena.
Johnson replaces Melissa Myers, who resigned on June 5 after nine seasons at the helm.
"The MVC is a great volleyball league which competes for multiple postseason bids every year," Johnson said. "The coaches in the league are exceptional and the athletes first class. Melissa Myers and the previous coaches positioned ISU volleyball at the top of the league year in and year out. I am charged with the same – by the institution and the conference – to see that Redbird volleyball and MVC volleyball continue to thrive.
"I look forward to this great opportunity and am privileged to be a part of Redbird Athletics."
What People Are Saying About Leah Johnson
Melissa Stokes
Head Volleyball Coach, Missouri State
"I believe Illinois State made an excellent hire in Leah Johnson. She is very familiar with the rich tradition of success not only at Illinois State, but in the Missouri Valley Conference. Leah has played in the conference, coached in the conference and understands what it takes to be successful. She took a job at a school transitioning from Division II to Division I and turned that corner of success, as evident of their finish in 2016. Leah is passionate, driven and can coach. Illinois State volleyball is in good hands under Leah's guidance."
Jaime Gordon
Head Volleyball Coach, Morehead State
"Leah is a high-character coach that will run a first-class program the fans of ISU will be proud of. Her eye for talent, competitive nature and commitment to player development have produced a successful and exciting style of volleyball."
Debbie Brown
Athletic Director, St. Joseph's (Indiana) High School
Former Head Volleyball Coach, Notre Dame
"I absolutely loved working with Leah Johnson. My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to work with her longer. She was a huge asset to our program at Notre Dame for the short time she was with us. She is a passionate coach, an excellent teacher, and a caring person who relates well with the student-athletes. Illinois State just made a great hire."
Dr. Lindsay Ross-Stewart
Sport Psychology Consultant
"Coach Johnson is a person of great integrity. She gives her players the tools to excel and helps them achieve both on and off the court. She is the type of coach every parent should want their child to play for at the college level."
Kristen Torre
Former SIUE Volleyball Standout
"I could not be happier for Coach Johnson. This is well deserved and I cannot think of anyone else better suited for this new opportunity. Her volleyball IQ and dedication to her players is unmatched. She sees potential in players long before they see it themselves, and challenges them every day to step up and be better athletes and people. I am so grateful to have had her as a coach and look forward to seeing where she will take the ISU program."
Cori Harris
Former SIUE Volleyball Standout
"I can't think of any coach more deserving of this position than Leah Johnson. She has worked so hard to build SIUE's volleyball program from the ground up, and goes above and beyond her duties as a coach. Not only does she have an amazing volleyball IQ and knows how to breed success on the court, but I have also never had a coach who cared more than Leah does about the personal growth of her student-athletes. Coach Johnson is truly invested in each of her players as professional young women, and Illinois State is extremely lucky to have her."
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