EL PASO, Texas - Courtney Johnson has been promoted to associate head coach for UTEP Volleyball following four seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Ben Wallis.

"I'm extremely excited to be able to not only keep Courtney here in the Sun City, but also reward her for all of the hard work she's been doing with our program for the past four years," Wallis said. "She's a very organized, productive and motivated coach, and she cares deeply about our city, our players and our university. She's the consummate worker and is always learning and getting better for our program each year, and it shows in our productivity. One day she's going to be a head coach, and I'm excited to keep her here in El Paso as long as I can."

Johnson joined the Miners in January 2022 and has helped guide the program through one of the most successful stretches in its history. During her tenure, UTEP has posted four consecutive 20-win seasons, captured its first conference regular-season championship and earned two NCAA Tournament berths.

In 2025, the Miners posted a program-best 25-5 record and a 15-1 mark in Conference USA play. UTEP captured a share of its first conference regular-season championship, earned the No. 1 seed in the league tournament and finished the regular season with a program-best NCAA RPI of No. 15. The Miners earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed, marking the second NCAA appearance in program history. The historic campaign also featured a program-record 10 road victories and a sweep of Western Kentucky that snapped the Hilltoppers' 100-match Conference USA regular-season winning streak. UTEP finished the season with five all-conference selections and numerous weekly league honors.

Johnson was also part of a 2024 squad that finished 27-6 overall and 16-2 in league play, earning the first NCAA Tournament at-large bid in program history. The Miners established program records with 13 consecutive wins, 19 sweeps and 263 service aces, while ranking among the nation's top teams in several statistical categories.

In 2023, UTEP posted a 25-10 record, went undefeated at home during the regular season and advanced to the NIVC championship match for the first time in program history. The Miners also recorded Power 4 victories over Washington and Clemson while establishing program records for aces, block assists and block assists per set.

Johnson's first season with the Miners in 2022 saw UTEP finish 17-13 overall and 10-4 in Conference USA, earning the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. The Miners set a school record with 240 service aces and collected a program-record 10 Conference USA Player of the Week honors.

Over her five seasons in El Paso, Johnson has been instrumental in the continued growth of UTEP Volleyball, helping establish a championship culture and elevate the Miners into a consistent contender at the conference and national levels.

"I am beyond thankful for Ben and his role in my life as a top-tier boss, mentor and friend," Johnson said. "He continues to trust me in assisting him in leading UTEP Volleyball and supports me relentlessly in my career, and for all of that I am forever indebted to him. Memorial Gym is the premier place in the country for college volleyball, and I'm honored and humbled to continue this journey here for years to come.

"I love El Paso, I love our program and I love who I get to go to work with every day. At the core of it all, our student-athletes are exceptional humans, and I am grateful every day for getting to work with them, be a part of their lives and continue this journey with the Miners."
 

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