University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Chris Johnson enters his 19th season at the helm of the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball program in 2026-27, continuing to cement his place as one of the most successful and respected coaches in USF and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference history.

Since taking over the Cougar program in 2008, Johnson has guided USF through its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II while establishing a culture built on toughness, accountability, and player development. The program's all-time wins leader, Johnson owns a 314-241 record at Sioux Falls and has led the Cougars to 12 winning seasons, including six 20-win campaigns. Under his direction, USF has earned three NAIA National Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth, and the program's first NSIC South Division Championship in 2019-20.

Johnson has twice been recognized among the region's top coaches. He was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Coach of the Year in 2010-11 after leading the Cougars to a 24-9 record and another NAIA National Tournament appearance. In 2019-20, he earned NSIC Coach of the Year honors after guiding USF to a 22-8 overall record, a 17-5 conference mark.

Throughout his tenure, Johnson has consistently developed high-level student-athletes. His players have combined for seven All-GPAC selections and 16 All-NSIC honors, highlighted by NSIC Newcomer of the Year recipients Trey Evans (2017-18) and Brogan Madson (2025-26), and NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Creighton Morisch (2024-25). Johnson also coached Matt Cartwright to First-Team All-NSIC, D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team, and NABC Division II All-District Second Team honors in 2022-23.

Several players have enjoyed breakthrough seasons under Johnson's leadership. Brogan Madson emerged as one of the top guards in the conference during the 2025-26 season, earning First-Team All-NSIC and NSIC Newcomer of the Year accolades while also being recognized as NCAA Division II National Player of the Week. Kyle Ingwerson developed into a Second-Team All-NSIC selection, while Creighton Morisch became one of the nation's premier defenders after earning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024-25. Johnson also helped develop standouts such as Chase Grinde, Teathloach Pal, Drew Guebert, Trevon Evans, and Mack Johnson into all-conference performers and cornerstone pieces of the program's success.

Johnson's impact extends well beyond wins and losses. His teams have consistently excelled in the classroom, producing more than 50 NSIC All-Academic selections and 20 NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honorees. Since 2022-23 alone, the Cougars have earned eight CSC Academic All-District selections and multiple NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recipients. In 2024-25, the program earned the prestigious NABC Team Academic Excellence Award after posting a 3.423 team GPA.

Before arriving in Sioux Falls, Johnson built an impressive coaching résumé throughout the Midwest. He spent three seasons as the top assistant coach at the University of North Dakota, helping guide the Fighting Sioux to multiple 20-win campaigns. Prior to UND, Johnson served as head coach at Culver-Stockton College during the 2004-05 season and was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. His previous assistant coaching stops included Minot State University (2001-04), Minnesota State University (1999-2001), and Central College (1998-99).

A native of Iowa, Johnson was a standout guard at Central College, where he was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner for the Dutch. He graduated in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and later earned his master's degree in sports administration from Minnesota State University in 2005.

Johnson and his wife, Amy, reside in Sioux Falls with their four children: Bailey, TJ, Zeke, and Lucy.

USF Records & Accomplishments

• Winningest coach in program history (298 career victories)
• 12 winning seasons at USF
• Six 20-win seasons
• Three NAIA National Tournament appearances
• One NAIA Sweet 16 appearance
• 2019-20 NSIC South Division Champions
• Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Coach of the Year (2010-11)
• NSIC Coach of the Year (2019-20)
• Two NSIC Newcomer of the Year honorees (Trey Evans, 2017-18; Brogan Madson, 2025-26)
• One NSIC Defensive Player of the Year honoree (Creighton Morisch, 2024-25)
• Seven All-GPAC selections
• 16 All-NSIC selections
• One D2CCA All-Central Region honoree (Matt Cartwright, 2022-23)
• One NABC Division II All-District honoree (Matt Cartwright, 2022-23)
• More than 50 NSIC All-Academic selections
• 20 NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honorees
• Eight CSC Academic All-District selections since 2022-23
• NABC Team Academic Excellence Award (2024-25)
  

Updated 6/18/2026