Ragin’ Cajuns head men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin announced the first two members of his coaching staff on Tuesday, as Nikita Johnson and Darby Rich were named assistant coaches.

Their hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

"I’m extremely excited both coaches are joining our family," Marlin said.  "They are quality people with bright futures."

A 30-year veteran of the coaching profession, Johnson has spent the last 12 years in the Louisiana basketball landscape. He comes to UL after spending the last three seasons as the associate head coach at Louisiana Tech.

"I’ve been aware of Nikita Johnson’s success for the past 20 years," Marlin stated.  "He is a real hard worker.

"I’m happy the opportunity presented itself.  He has excelled in recruiting, as well as many other coaching phases in his career.  He’s been in the State of Louisiana for a long time.  Coach Johnson is well respected both nationally and in-state."

With Johnson on staff, Louisiana Tech improved by nine wins in each of the last two seasons going from six wins in 2007-08 to 24 wins in 2009-10. Last season, the Bulldogs received votes in the ESPN/USA Top 25 Poll and AP Top 25 Poll for the first time since 1991.

Prior to arriving at Louisiana Tech, Johnson was on John Brady’s staff at LSU for three seasons (2004-05 through 2006-07).  While at LSU, he was a part of a Final Four appearance and coached NBA lottery-pick Tyrus Thomas.

Before LSU, Johnson worked in the Sun Belt Conference at the University of New Orleans from 1998-2004. He helped the Privateers land four recruiting classes that received strong marks in the national ratings.

A graduate of the University of West Georgia and Chipola Junior College, Johnson served as an assistant coach at each of those schools, as well as Odessa (Texas) College before moving to the Division I level. Johnson stepped onto the Division I scene as an assistant at Murray State in 1993.

In addition to Tyrus Thomas at LSU other Johnson-coached student-athletes that enjoyed NBA success include Brandon Bass (Orlando Magic), Glen "Big Baby" Davis (Boston Celtics), Mike James (Washington Wizards) and Anthony Randolph (Golden State Warriors) who are all presently in the league. Marcus Brown from Murray State and Moochie Norris from Odessa also had tenures of several years on an NBA roster.

Rich was a member of Marlin’s original coaching staff at Sam Houston State from 1998-99 through 2000-01.  He rejoined SHSU as an assistant in December 2009.  In his initial stint at SHSU, Rich was the program’s recruiting coordinator and scouting director, helping the Bearkats win their first Southland Conference title (2000) and record the school’s then-highest Division I victory total for a season (22 in 2000).

"I’ve know Coach Rich for 17 years," Marlin said.  "He was with me when we started building the program at Sam Houston.  He knows what we are trying to accomplish here at UL.

"Coach Rich was a good player – very disciplined.  Being a former player, along with his interests and background as a basketball coach and a strength coach, he will help put an added emphasis on our student-athletes health, nutrition, strength training and conditioning."

Rich has also spent time working as a strength coach with the University of Oklahoma, the University of South Carolina and the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

He spent five seasons as a member of the Oklahoma basketball staff from 2004-09.  The Sooners earned NCAA Tournament berths each season, including 2005 when they won the Big 12 regular season title.  In his final season with the Sooners, OU finished 30-6, losing in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament to the eventual National Champions, North Carolina.  OU was ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll that season.  Rich worked with Blake Griffin, who was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft, and Taylor Griffin, who was taken with the 48th overall pick of the 2009 Draft by the Phoenix Suns.

Rich left Oklahoma following the 2008-09 season to work as a personal trainer for PGA golfer Anthony Kim.  Kim recently won the 2010 Shell Houston Open and was third at the 2010 Master’s.

Rich began his college coaching career at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, serving from 1994 to 1997 as an assistant coach.  He was the head recruiter and also the strength and conditioning coach.  Hutchinson was 117-24 during his tenure and won the 1994 NJCAA national title.

A 1992 University of Alabama graduate with a degree in criminal justice, Rich served as a tri-captain his senior year (1992) with Robert Horry (7 NBA titles) and Latrell Sprewell (4-Time NBA All-Star).  He was a member of the Crimson Tide’s 1989, 1990 and 1991 SEC championship teams and was a three-time SEC academic honor roll selection.

—  Ragin’ Cajuns —