MOBILE, Ala. – Former Mercer assistant coach Paul Johnson has been named men’s basketball assistant coach at the University of South Alabama, head coach Ronnie Arrow announced Thursday.

The accomplished assistant coach replaces former associate head coach Chuck Taylor, who was named head coach at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas earlier this month.

“When someone leaves who’s been with you for six years it’s like losing a family member,” said Arrow. “All the good things that happened here, like the winning, he had a lot to do with it.

Johnson comes to Mobile after serving two years at Mercer as a charter member of Bob Hoffman's staff.

 “We’re getting a very experienced coach that has recruited very well at this level,” said Arrow. “He’s known throughout the coaching profession as a very good recruiter that brings in good players. He’s been a head coach so he knows what it’s all about. We’re happy to get a coach like him here at South Alabama.”

In 2008-09 Johnson helped the Bears to a 17-15 overall record and an 11-9 mark in the Atlantic Sun. It marked the program’s first overall and league winning season since 2004-05.

“I want to thank Coach Arrow for the opportunity to coach here,” said Johnson. “I’ve followed what he’s done, not only over the last few years but for a long time. It’s always a pleasure to work with someone who has the kind of experience and background that Coach Arrow has. He’s been a part of winning teams and won numerous conference championships and that’s what I’m all about. I’m excited to be here.”

Prior to joining MU's staff, Johnson spent the previous three seasons as the head coach at Bevill State (Ala.) Community College. He guided the Bears to a 58-31 record and captured the school's first-ever Alabama Community College Conference title in 2007, going 26-10 and participating in the NJCAA national tournament.

Johnson's BSCC squad ranked in the top-20 nationally in 20 statistical categories, including first in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 50.5 points per contest. He was named 2007 NJCAA District Coach of the Year for his efforts.

During his stint at Bevill State, Johnson mentored former South Alabama standout DeAndré Coleman. Coleman was a member of the Bears’ NJCAA Tournament team before coming to USA to earn All-Sun Belt honors in 2009.

Prior to his stint at BSCC, Johnson was an assistant coach under Jessie Evans at Louisiana at Lafayette from 1997-2004 and helped guide the Ragin' Cajuns to four Sun Belt Championships, including two conference tournament titles (2000 and 2004). ULL made two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2000 and 2004) and made back-to-back appearances in the NIT in 2002 and 2003.

The Winchester, Ky., native was honored as the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year at Louisiana at Lafayette in 2002 by Coach and Athletic Director Magazine while serving as recruiting coordinator, on-the-floor coach and director of community relations. The Ragin' Cajuns posted a combined 132-81 (.620) record during his seven-year tenure in Lafayette.

Prior to arriving in Lafayette, Johnson served as an assistant coach at Harding University, helping lead the Bisons to a 43-17 record during the 1996 and 1997 seasons, an NAIA Tournament berth in 1996 as well as the NAIA Southwest Region Championship in 1996.

As an assistant coach, Johnson was instrumental in guiding Lake City Community College, Transylvania University and Florida College to conference championships in the mid-1990s.

Johnson played his prep basketball at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Ky., and continued his playing career on the hardwood at Florida College in Temple Terrace, Fla.

Johnson and his wife Laura have two daughters, Susannah and Lily Beth.

Taylor served under Arrow for three seasons each at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and South Alabama and was eventually promoted to associate head coach before the 2009-10 season.

“The aspiration for every assistant coach is to be a head coach,” said Arrow. “There’s no question in my mind that he will win wherever he’s coaching.”

As the recruiting coordinator for the Islanders he helped lead them to a 20-8 record in 2004-05, the first 20-win season in school history.

He served as head coach at Richland (Texas) Junior College for the 2005-06 campaign and guided the Thunderducks to a No. 3 national ranking and a conference title. He then moved on to Sun Belt member North Texas for a season where the Mean Green won a school-record 23 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Taylor reunited with Arrow in 2007 and led the Jaguars to 26 wins—a new school mark—and an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. USA won 20 games in 2008-09 and reached the Sun Belt Tournament finals.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).