IMG Academy Announces Jackson Johnson as Boys National Basketball Head Coach

BRADENTON, Fla. (May 26, 2026) – IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, has announced Jackson Johnson as the new Boys National Basketball head coach. After leading The Newman School to back-to-back New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) AAA Championships and the program’s first-ever National Prep Championship, Jackson Johnson brings a proven track record of developing elite student-athletes and building nationally ranked teams.

During his four seasons as Head Coach at The Newman School, Johnson led a historic run of success, guiding the program to four consecutive New England Championship Tournament appearances and back-to-back NEPSAC AAA Championships in 2025 and 2026, including a National Prep Championship in 2026. Under his leadership, Newman set program records in each season, culminating in a 38-win campaign in 2026, while also developing several student-athletes who advanced to play college basketball across Division I, II, and III programs, including Collins Onyejiaka of Alabama (2025), Quinn Costello of Michigan (2026), and Lucas Morillo of Illinois (2026).

"Jackson is an exceptional leader who has consistently demonstrated the ability to build winning programs while prioritizing student-athlete development and long-term success,” said Brian Nash, Vice President of Athletics at IMG Academy. “Our basketball program consistently competes at the highest level, making this one of the premier coaching roles in youth sports, and we’re excited for Jackson to play a major role in continuing that success.”

Prior to his time at The Newman School, Johnson served as an assistant coach for two seasons under Hall of Fame coach John Carroll at Northfield Mount Hermon School. During the 2022 season, he was part of a staff that guided the program to a No. 2 national ranking and a 33–6 record, while helping matriculate 10 seniors to NCAA Division I programs, including Danny Wolf (Michigan), Luke Hunger (Northwestern), and Blair Thompson (Columbia).

“Coach Jackson has established himself as one of the top young coaches in the country through his ability to develop student-athletes, build culture, and compete at the highest level,” said Mike Gillian, Director of Basketball at IMG Academy. “His passion for teaching the game, combined with his experience leading nationally ranked programs and preparing student-athletes for the next level, makes him an outstanding fit for IMG Academy.”

Johnson began his coaching career in 2018 as a graduate assistant at Tulane University, where he worked under Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Ron Hunter. Dunleavy, the 27th-winningest coach in NBA history with 613 career wins, and Hunter, a veteran Division I head coach with 481 victories, played key roles in his development. During his tenure at Tulane, Johnson focused heavily on player development, working with future professional talent, including NBA player Melvin Frazier (35th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic), as well as NBA G League players Caleb Daniels and Cam Reynolds.

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to join IMG Academy and lead one of the premier basketball programs in the country,” said Johnson. “IMG Academy has built a reputation for developing elite student-athletes both on and off the court, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that tradition. I look forward to helping our student-athletes win their future and preparing them for the next level of their athletic and academic careers.”

The IMG Academy basketball program has established itself as one of the premier development pipelines in the sport, built on a holistic approach to developing student-athletes on and off the court. In 2026, the program saw 43 alumni compete in the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, including multiple Final Four participants. In addition, IMG Academy has produced 13 McDonald’s All-Americans in program history and has 15 alumni currently active in the NBA, underscoring its sustained impact at the highest levels of basketball and its commitment to preparing student-athletes for long-term success beyond the game.

The impact of Coach Johnson’s hiring is already resonating across the basketball community, with leaders and respected voices throughout the sport sharing their excitement about the addition to IMG Academy:

Tommy Amaker, Head Coach of the Harvard men’s basketball team: “IMG Academy and Coach Jackson Johnson are an ideal partnership! Coach Johnson is first and foremost a high-character person who is an outstanding teacher and leader. His spirit, enthusiasm, and passion are infectious! He will impact his team, IMG Academy, and the entire community. IMG Academy is lucky to have him!”

Dusty May, Head Coach of the University of Michigan men’s basketball team: “Coach Johnson is a fantastic coach with a bright basketball mind and a tireless work ethic. Winning the national prep championship last season is a testament to his ability to coach championship-level basketball. I look forward to seeing him thrive in his new role.”

About IMG Academy
holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

·         Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.

·         Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance

·         Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.