Johnson Named Women's Tennis Coach

PROVO -- BYU Athletics Director Tom Holmoe today announced the hiring of Joey Johnson to head the women’s tennis program, effective September 1. He replaces coach Craig Manning who stepped down recently to pursue a full-time career in sports psychology.

“We’re excited to have Joey join our athletic family,” said Holmoe. “He is passionate about the sport of tennis and brings with him a wealth of experience as a student-athlete and as a successful coach.”

Johnson has spent his professional career devoted to coaching and successfully training top-level tennis players. He created a mental training program for competitive athletes, teams and organizations titled Worthy to Win.

For the last 15 years, he has been conducting personal seminars and training sessions regarding this unique and successful program. He currently consults with professional, Olympic, amateur and junior Athletes from a variety of sports.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work with BYU athletics and to represent the University as the women’s tennis coach,” said Johnson. “I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy of a strong tennis program established under coach Manning. I’m committed to helping the athletes on and off the court to maximize their potential in all aspects of their lives.”

From 2001-2003 Johnson was with World Class Coaching in Denver, Colo., where he was a private coach on the ATP Men’s Tour. He also spent four years as the Director of Tennis at Woodmoor Country Club in Monument, Colo.

He competed at the collegiate level at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas where his team won back-to-back national championships and then went on to play at the University of Mississippi where he garnered Academic All-SEC honors in 1987. During his years as a student-athlete, the men’s tennis team was consistently ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Mississippi.

Since graduation, Johnson has been coaching individual tennis players throughout the western United States.

He is married to the former Wendy Hayes, they have five children, and reside in Salt Lake City.

Lauren Jones Spencer, who served as the assistant to coach Manning during the 2008-09 season, will remain on the staff.