Tonya Johnson begins her second season as an assistant coach on Jerritt Elliott's staff at Texas. She was brought into the UT family in April of 2003 after spending the five seasons as an assistant at her alma mater, LSU. Johnson works with the team's outside hitters and, off the court, she is the team's recruiting coordinator and also organized the team's popular 2003 summer camp program.

Last season, her first at Texas, both of the team's outside hitters – juniors Bethany Howden and Mira Topic – gained attention for their performances on the court. Howden led the Big 12 in both kills per game and points per game, while Topic was third in both categories. Additionally, Howden become the fourth player to record 500 or more kills in a season when she concluded the campaign with an even 500. At the end of the season, both players earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) honorable mention All-America honors, after already copping AVCA first-team All-Central Region and first team All-Big 12 accolades.

Last year, she also oversaw all aspects of team travel, scouting and video breakdown, and oversaw the team's strength and conditioning program. Also, Johnson was instrumental in organizing the team's 13-day tour of Europe in May 2004.

Johnson served as the top volleyball assistant at LSU since 1998 under Fran (Teeter) Flory (Texas '83) where she was responsible for the majority of the Tigers' recruiting efforts. In 1995, Johnson began her collegiate coaching career at Kentucky as an assistant to Flory.

The Tigers finished last in the SEC in 1997, prior to Johnson's arrival to the program. LSU moved up from sixth in the West Division to fourth in 1998 with a 5-10 SEC finish. The Tigers' best finish during Johnson's tenure was in 2001 as LSU was second in the SEC West Division with a 10-5 mark. LSU was second in the SEC West in 2002 with a 9-7 conference record while going 17-10 overall.

Born Sept. 1, 1969 in Zachary, La., Johnson was a four-year letterwinner at LSU from 1987-1990. She won consecutive SEC titles in 1989 and 1990 as well. Her playing days culminated as a senior in 1990 with a trip to the NCAA women's volleyball final four.

Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Johnson taught at Wellington Landings Middle School in Boca Raton, Fla. While teaching, Johnson coached the Florida Gold Coast club team and served as an assistant coach at Olympic Heights High School.