Assistant DerMarr Johnson Thanks West Virginia on Social Media

DerMarr Johnson, who has served as WVU’s assistant since January 2023, thanked West Virginia in a short post on his Instagram story. West Virginia University announced on Wednesday that they were moving on from interim HC Josh Eilert, opening a search for a new coach.

“Thank you WV 🙏🏾❤️🏀,” Johnson wrote.

DerMarr Johnson, who has served as WVU’s assistant since Jan. 2023, thanks West Virginia on IG pic.twitter.com/nQ0elcsiFq

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) March 14, 2024

Johnson completed his second year of his original two-year deal when he was hired by WVU in early 2023. Johnson replaced former WVU associate HC Larry Harrison’s spot on the bench after his dismissal. Johnson remained on staff following Bob Huggins’ resignation last June, coaching under Eilert for the 2023-24 season.

“We’ll honor the contracts of really all of our coaches,” WVU AD Wren Baker said on Wednesday. “This isn’t a deal where there’s animosity or hard feeling. Everybody has been really classy.”

Johnson was previously the director of player development under Wes Miller at Cincinnati and played for the Bearcats from 1999-00 season under Huggins. Johnson was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, hanging around the NBA until 2008. Johnson continued to play professional basketball until 2015 before going back to the University of Cincinnati to complete his degree and transition into a coaching career.