James Johnson begins his second season as an assistant coach at George Mason and his 14th season as a collegiate coach. He joined the Patriot staff in June of 2005 and he brings extensive experience of the game as both a player and coach.

Johnson comes to Mason from Penn State, where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach. He was the recruitment coordinator for the Lions, responsible for bringing Geary Claxton to the team. Claxon was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Johnson also was responsible for the breakdown of tape in scouting opponents for game preparation.

Prior to Penn State, Johnson had a one-year stint as an assistant at the College of Charleston. During his one year at the College of Charleston, Johnson helped guide the team to a 25-8 overall record and the Southern Conference regular season title. The 2002-03 College of Charleston team also won the Great Alaska Shootout and advanced to the second round of the 2003 post-season NIT. Prior to College of Charleston, Johnson spent two years as an assistant at Elon.

After graduating from Ferrum College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1993, he immediately stepped into the coaching ranks at his alma mater and served as an assistant for two seasons. Johnson helped guide the Panthers to a regular season conference title.

In 1995, Johnson moved on to Longwood College as an assistant and then spent one year at Hargrave Military Academy, where he worked with the post-graduate team. In 1997, he began a three-year run as an assistant at CAA foe Old Dominion. In 1998, Johnson helped guide ODU to a 25-9 overall mark and the second round of the NIT.

Johnson, a native of Powhatan, Va., was a four-year player and a three-year starter at Ferrum College in Virginia. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year while at Ferrum, he helped guide his team to two conference championships and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He was also voted his team's Most Valuable Player in 1993. In 2001, Johnson was selected one of the Top 10 players in Ferrum Basketball History.

Johnson is a member of the Black Coaches Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). In March 2001, Johnson was named one of the Top 20 Assistant Coaches at Mid-Major Division I Schools by Rivals.com.