Princeton brings Sydney Johnson back as men's hoops coach

Apr 20, 2007, 23:35 GMT

Princeton, NJ - Princeton announced Friday that alumnus Sydney Johnson has been named the new men's basketball coach.

With seven years of professional playing experience in Europe under his belt, Johnson joined Georgetown's staff in 2004. Fresh off helping lead Georgetown to the Final Four as an assistant last season, Johnson comes back to Princeton for which he remains the only three-time captain and 1997 Ivy League Player of the Year.

'As a player at Princeton, Sydney Johnson was the embodiment of heart, passion, class and dignity,' Princeton athletic director Gary Walters said. 'We are delighted that he will bring those same qualities back to Princeton as our men's basketball coach.'

Johnson takes over a program led by Joe Scott that reached an 11-17 mark last season; and a last-place finish in the conference, at 2-12, for the first time since it began in 1956.

'I had a lot of excitement and nervous energy when I accepted the position,' Johnson said. 'But that has quickly turned into a feeling of relaxation of knowing that this is the right place to be. It's great to be here, and the challenge now will be to move forward.'

© 2007 The Sports Network