Penn State Shenango Taps Cleveland Native as Men’s Basketball Coach

SHARON, Pa. – Bruce Johnson has been named head coach of the Penn State Shenango men’s basketball program, the campus’ director of athletics Amanda Howett announced Thursday.

Johnson spent the last two seasons at NCAA Division II Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, serving as the team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

“I’m very happy to welcome Bruce to our program as the first new hire of my staff,” said Howett in a statement. “He brings a plethora of strong experiences at many divisional levels that I believe fit our vision for the future of Shenango men’s basketball. I’m excited to see what we bring to the court this year with Bruce leading the team.” 

Prior to his time with the Notre Dame College Falcons, Johnson was the head men’s basketball coach at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio, for two seasons. While at the helm for the Express, he initiated a department-wide academic retention program that included weekly study tables and grade sheets. 

Johnson spent one season at NCAA Division III Oberlin [Ohio] College, three seasons at Lakeland Community College [Kirtland, Ohio] and two at Lorain [Ohio] Community College.

The new Shenango coach spent a season as a varsity assistant coach at Cleveland Central Catholic High School and four as an Amatuer Athletic Union coach in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

Collegiately, Johnson played at Lakeland and Lorain community colleges about a decade ago.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.