Leah Johnson Named Head Volleyball Coach at Michigan State
2/7/2022 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Bringing NCAA Tournament and conference championship experience to East Lansing, Leah Johnson has been named head volleyball coach at Michigan State. Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller made the announcement on Feb. 7.Â
"Leah brings a track record of success on the court and on the recruiting trail to Michigan State volleyball," Haller said. "Her competitive nature and determined approach is evident in all areas of her program, especially the passion she has for her student-athletes and their success, both on and off the court. It's an approach that's led to conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and individual honors for her student-athletes. Her drive will energize our fanbase, building on the proud tradition of Spartan volleyball. On behalf of the entire community, I'm excited to welcome Leah, her husband A.J. and their kids Edie and P.J. to our Spartan family."
Johnson has directed the Illinois State program the last five seasons, guiding the Redbirds to a 104-53 record and five postseason appearances, including four straight NCAA Tournaments, marking the longest streak at ISU in nearly four decades (1982-85).
"I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead the Michigan State volleyball program," Johnson said. "Thank you to Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller for entrusting me with the legacy of success built by Cathy George and the coaches before her. The Big Ten is the premier volleyball conference in the country and I am thrilled to be coaching in such a competitive league. Michigan State has the potential to be in the national conversation on an annual basis. I am eager to get to work helping the team achieve greatness on and off the court."
Under Johnson's guidance, Illinois State finished in the top three in the Missouri Valley Conference all five seasons, including winning the regular-season conference championship in 2018 and 2020 (played in spring 2021). The Redbirds also won three straight MVC Tournament titles from 2019-2021.
With the youngest team in the MVC, Johnson led ISU to a 19-14 overall record this past season, including a 13-5 conference mark to place second in the regular-season standings. In MVC action, the Redbirds won eight straight matches, including 17 straight sets. During the win streak, Johnson recorded her 100th victory as a Redbird – reaching the mark in just 150 matches. In the postseason, ISU defeated No. 1 seed Loyola in five sets to capture a third straight MVC Tournament title, rallying from a 2-0 set deficit.
Johnson was named the 2021 AVCA North Region Coach of the Year. Her squad finished the season ranked in the Top 10 in the NCAA in total kills and total assists. Four different Redbirds were recognized with All-Conference honors, including three on the All-MVC First Team. Tamara Otene was named MVC Player of the Year, while Kaity Weimerskirch was named the Libero of the Year. Otene also earned all-region and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors, marking the third time a Redbird earned All-America honors under Johnson.
When COVID-19 moved the 2020 season to spring of 2021, Illinois State captured both the regular-season and tournament titles. ISU went 16-6, including 11-3 in MVC action. The first of the three straight MVC Tournament titles came in 2019 as ISU became the first ever No. 3 seed to win the crown in the six-team format. In 2018, the Redbirds earned an at-large appearance in the NCAA Tournament, finishing the year with a 25-8 mark and capturing the regular-season MVC title. Johnson made an immediate impact as Illinois State's coach, leading her team to a 22-13 mark in 2017.
Individually, Redbird student-athletes excelled under Johnson's direction. In addition to Otene's All-America honors this past season, Courtney Pence earned All-America accolades in 2017 and 2018. Five different Redbirds collected a total of eight AVCA All-Region honors over the last five seasons, while 13 different players combined for 20 All-MVC honors, including 14 first-team honors. In the classroom, seven student-athletes combined for 11 appearances on the MVC Scholar Athlete First Team.Â
Prior to her stint at Illinois State, Johnson spent six seasons as head coach at SIU-Edwardsville where she was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2016 after leading the Cougars to the OVC tournament championship game. Johnson guided SIUE through its transition from Division II to Division I, directing the Cougars to a top 100 RPI finish in 2016. In addition to her head coaching experience, Johnson made stops at Notre Dame (2010), Missouri State (2008-09) and Texas-Pan American (2007) as an assistant coach.
Johnson was a standout student-athlete at Missouri State, serving as team captain and helping guide the Bears to four straight seasons with 20 or more wins. She excelled on the court, ranking among Missouri State's all-time and single-season digs leaders, and in the classroom, as she was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team and served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative. In 2019 the Missouri State University volleyball program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
She holds two degrees from Missouri State, earning a bachelor's degree in 2004 and a master's degree in 2006.
Johnson is married to A.J. Weissler and the couple has two children, Edith and PJ.
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