California State University Northridge Athletics
8/5/2022 1:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
A little more than one year ago, head men's basketball coach Trent Johnson could be found navigating all the variables a new coach encounters, with a mere three months until tipoff.
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Johnson began head coaching duties on an interim basis on July 20, 2021, for the 2021-22 season. Fast forward, CSUN defied preseason expectations by finishing eighth in the Big West Conference last season, and at times showed strides of the brand of basketball Johnson has had success with at his previous coaching stops.
On March 17, 2022, Johnson's interim tag was removed as he was named the seventh Head Men's Basketball Coach in Matador history. From there, the work began to prepare for the new season.
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Coach Johnson and his staff efficiently navigated evaluating and signing a roster for the summer workout period. With a mix of experience and size at multiple positions, the Matadors are sure to bring a much different look to Premier Credit Arena Union Arena this upcoming season.
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CSUN has added 10 newcomers to the program including Division I transfers from the Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley Conference, Southland Conference and the Summit League as well as standouts at the junior college and high school level.Â
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"Upon signing this class, my staff and I were really excited about the immediate impact we believed our roster additions would have on this program as individuals and as players," said Johnson.
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The newcomers will join remaining student-athletes from the 2021-22 season including Atin Wright, Onyi Eyisi and Fidelis Okereke.
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With the majority of the team arriving for summer session class in late May, the coaching staff hit the ground running. The basketball staff is permitted by NCAA rules with eight weeks of four hours per week on floor instruction.
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"With summer workouts we wanted to emphasize individual fundamental improvement, team game structure, and strength and size," said Johnson. "Without a summer last year, I feel as if we have acclimated well as team and were able to accomplish our goals on the floor."
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Along with basketball instruction and weight training, the coaching staff arranged team dinners, a cooking class workshop, relay race and super soaker contest, and a post scrimmage impromptu dodgeball match, continuing to foster an environment of program camaraderie.
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While there is a different feeling in the air at CSUN, there is also much work ahead as this staff continues to pursue their championship goals.
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"While we are excited about what is in front of us as a program, we fully understand the level of competition in this league and know there is much work to be done," said Johnson.
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Still, as the fall semester is rapidly approaching, these Matadors have been united on and off the court and have begun the process of training for the demands of a new season while also remaining astute and respectful of their responsibilities in the classroom and the community. Â Â
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#UniteTheValley
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Johnson began head coaching duties on an interim basis on July 20, 2021, for the 2021-22 season. Fast forward, CSUN defied preseason expectations by finishing eighth in the Big West Conference last season, and at times showed strides of the brand of basketball Johnson has had success with at his previous coaching stops.
On March 17, 2022, Johnson's interim tag was removed as he was named the seventh Head Men's Basketball Coach in Matador history. From there, the work began to prepare for the new season.
Â
Coach Johnson and his staff efficiently navigated evaluating and signing a roster for the summer workout period. With a mix of experience and size at multiple positions, the Matadors are sure to bring a much different look to Premier Credit Arena Union Arena this upcoming season.
Â
CSUN has added 10 newcomers to the program including Division I transfers from the Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley Conference, Southland Conference and the Summit League as well as standouts at the junior college and high school level.Â
Â
"Upon signing this class, my staff and I were really excited about the immediate impact we believed our roster additions would have on this program as individuals and as players," said Johnson.
Â
The newcomers will join remaining student-athletes from the 2021-22 season including Atin Wright, Onyi Eyisi and Fidelis Okereke.
Â
With the majority of the team arriving for summer session class in late May, the coaching staff hit the ground running. The basketball staff is permitted by NCAA rules with eight weeks of four hours per week on floor instruction.
Â
"With summer workouts we wanted to emphasize individual fundamental improvement, team game structure, and strength and size," said Johnson. "Without a summer last year, I feel as if we have acclimated well as team and were able to accomplish our goals on the floor."
Â
Along with basketball instruction and weight training, the coaching staff arranged team dinners, a cooking class workshop, relay race and super soaker contest, and a post scrimmage impromptu dodgeball match, continuing to foster an environment of program camaraderie.
Â
While there is a different feeling in the air at CSUN, there is also much work ahead as this staff continues to pursue their championship goals.
Â
"While we are excited about what is in front of us as a program, we fully understand the level of competition in this league and know there is much work to be done," said Johnson.
Â
Still, as the fall semester is rapidly approaching, these Matadors have been united on and off the court and have begun the process of training for the demands of a new season while also remaining astute and respectful of their responsibilities in the classroom and the community. Â Â
Â
#UniteTheValley
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Players Mentioned
Wednesday, September 16
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, February 13