Brad Johnson has completed his fourth season with LMU in 2025-26, contributing to one of the most historic campaigns in program history. The Lions earned a postseason berth in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament – just the fourth postseason appearance in program history and the first since 2018-19 – falling in a tightly contested 80-76 matchup on the road at Stanford Cardinal women's basketball. LMU captured the WCC Regular Season Championship outright, the program’s first conference title since 2003-04, and posted a 15-3 conference record, the best mark in program history, while finishing with 21 total wins to tie for the second-most in a single season. The Lions also put together a nine-game winning streak – their longest since the 2003-04 championship season – and secured a signature victory over Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball, snapping a 35-game losing streak and earning their first win in the series since 2008. Individually, LMU saw a resurgence in conference honors, earning its first All-WCC First Team selections since 2018-19 and placing two players on the First Team in the same season for just the sixth time in program history and the first since 2003-04. Picked ninth in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Lions exceeded expectations while building on late-season momentum from 2024-25, when they closed with three straight conference wins and a WCC Tournament victory. Despite early-season injuries limiting key contributors, LMU also posted a resilient 6-5 nonconference record, setting the foundation for a championship run.
Johnson began his coaching career in 2008 at Big Bear High School, where he served as the junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach for the boys’ basketball program. He spent seven years with the boys’ side before transitioning to the girls’ basketball program in 2015. In 2016, Johnson took over as the varsity head coach, leading the program and continuing to build a strong foundation.
Prior to joining LMU, Johnson served as the head coach at Aliso Niguel High School in Orange County for three seasons, where he compiled a 48-34 overall record and led the team to a South Coast League title, further establishing his reputation for program development and success.
