AVERY JOHNSON

Avery Johnson, former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks as well as a championship NBA player for 16 seasons, is a teacher, leader, and most of all, a motivator. Named Coach of the Year in 2006, his first year as head coach, Johnson knows what it takes to rise to the top. His newest book, Aspire Higher: Winning On and Off the Court with Determination, Discipline, and Decisions (Collins) is the essential game plan for reaching your goals. His message is for anyone looking for the tools and secrets of success – anyone looking to win.

Johnson’s motivational speeches are in high demand at corporations, churches, and schools across the nation. He shares the tools, strategies, and attitude behind his own inspiring success story. Number nine in a family of 10 kids raised in New Orleans’ Lafitte Housing Project, Johnson, like many African-American males in America’s inner cities, spent his youth battling the statistics. Refusing to accept rejection, Johnson  graduated from Southern University with a degree in psychology and went on to realize his dream of playing for the NBA.

Known as “The Little General” for his on-court leadership and diminutive stature, at only 5’11” Johnson signed on as a free agent with the Seattle Supersonics before being cut and then playing with San Antonio, Denver, and Houston. He was only the second player under six feet to play more than 1,000 games. Johnson helped guide the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999. He is still the Spurs’ all-time leader in assists and ranks 28th in NBA history in that same category. In recognition for his contributions to the Spurs organization, Johnson’s No. 6 jersey was retired in December, 2007.

As a coach, his style takes into account his long road and is a true outline for success on the court and in life. While coaching the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson won 66 of his first 82 games, which was four more wins than any other coach in league history. He was also the fastest coach to reach the 50-win mark (62 games) and coached the Western Conference in the 2006 All-Star game. Johnson brought the Mavericks to 60 wins and its first appearance in the NBA Finals.

In 2006-07, Johnson led the Mavericks to a franchise-record 67 wins (67-15 overall) and the NBA’s best record. That mark was also the sixth best record in NBA history.  Following the team’s 10-0 February, the NBA awarded him with Coach of the Month honors (which he received four times in his young coaching career). 

Johnson has a strong passion for men’s ministry, and financially and spiritually supports many church programs in New Orleans, Houston, and Dallas. Johnson serves as a member of the board of directors of Project Turn Around, a faith-based organization dedicated to addressing the social needs of urban youth and their families in the Dallas area. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Hunger Busters, an organization dedicated to bringing a freshly made meal with compassion to hungry and homeless people on the streets of Dallas. In October, 2005, he was co-host of the Katrina Rescue Ride to benefit the Salvation Army and the Red Cross’ relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Johnson lives in Texas with his wife and their two children.