Success – on the course and in the classroom, is the hallmark of Lisa Johnson’s tenure as the University of Idaho women’s golf coach.
Johnson, who also doubled as the men’s head coach early in her career, has groomed team champions, individual winners, and scholars since she took over the program in the fall of 2007. She has had more than a dozen first-team all-conference choices and regularly sent players to the NCAA Regional competition.
The Vandals successes in the classroom are equally impressive where they have been recognized annually by the American Golf Coaches Association as one of the top academic performers in the nation. They also have been cited in annual APR reports that document their high honors in the classroom.
When she returned to Moscow in the summer of 2007, she was returning to her Northwest roots. And began coaching players who will be remembered as among the best student-athletes at Idaho. In 2012, graduate Kayla Mortellaro earning her LPGA card for the 2013 professional season. While at Idaho, Mortellaro became the winningest player in school history and was a three-time recipient of Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors along with Freshman of the Year recognition during her first collegiate season.
After taking a program that won the 2007 Western Athletic Conference title, Johnson guided the women to an historic three-victory season in 2009-10 and a berth in their second NCAA regional competition. The Vandals added the 2016 Big Sky Conference title to their achievements under Johnson. That, she says, is just a step along the way in the program achieving its ultimate goal.
Director of athletics Rob Spear said Johnson was a natural choice when she selected to take over the program.
“Lisa not only is a quality golf coach but a quality individual whose goals mirror that of the athletic department – to produce premier programs,” he said.
Johnson was a relative late-comer to golf – and took up the game at the suggestion of her high school swim coach.
“It was his nice way of telling me, ‘You work hard and you’re a good swimmer, but …,’ ” Johnson said with a laugh.
She continues the hard work at Idaho as a driving force behind upgrades for the program in the form of renovated lockerrooms, an indoor practice area and an enhancing short-game facility.
Johnson earned her master’s degree at the University of Idaho after graduating cum laude at Gonzaga University in 2000. In the fall of 2016, she earned her PGA Class A Professional status.
While at Gonzaga, Johnson was chosen the Bulldog Female Student-Athlete of the Year, was a West Coast Conference all-conference selection, a WCC all-academic honoree, and the winner of three individual tournaments. She also was the president of SAAC and a member of the Athletics Council. Prior to returning to Idaho, Johnson spent 5½ years at Boise State.
She was married in February 2008 to John Johnson, senior associate athletic director at neighboring Washington State University. The couple has twin children – Ellie and Cooper.
