Head coach of Northern Arizona University's men's basketball team, Shane Burcar, announced the hiring of Ben Johnson as associate head coach and Nik Mains as assistant coach. Johnson returns for his second stint at NAU after a productive season at Charlotte, where he helped revive the team from a poor record to advancing to the American Conference Semifinals. Mains, a former Lumberjack player, most recently served as a graduate assistant at BYU, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and supporting player development. Both coaches bring valuable experience and a commitment to elevating the Lumberjacks' program.

By the Numbers
  • Johnson played a key role in Charlotte's turnaround, moving from a 3-15 season to reaching the American Conference Semifinals.
  • Mains played a record 149 games for NAU and was part of the team that achieved a runner-up finish in the Big Sky Conference Tournament in 2023.
State of Play
  • Johnson previously contributed to NAU's success during the 2023-24 season, achieving the highest Division I non-conference win total in 16 years.
  • Mains' connections to former teammates and recent coaching experience at BYU align with Burcar's vision for integrating former players into the coaching staff.
What's Next

With Johnson and Mains on board, the focus will be on developing current players and building a competitive team for the upcoming season. Expectations for a successful campaign are high, considering their previous accomplishments and familiarity with NAU's program.

Bottom Line

The hiring of Ben Johnson and Nik Mains signals a strategic move to leverage past experience and relationships within the university, aiming to foster a successful culture and improve the men's basketball program's performance.