SAN MARCOS, Texas – Former Texas State associate women's basketball coach and a NCAA women's basketball champion Noel Johnson, 47, passed away Tuesday morning following a 14-month fight against ovarian cancer.
 
Johnson served nine seasons as the lead assistant coach at Texas State before coaching one season at North Texas in 2007-08 and becoming the all-time winningest head coach at Midwestern State in the past 12 seasons.
 
Johnson began her coaching as an assistant coach at Texas State in 1998 and was the associate head coach for the Bobcats before going to North Texas. During her nine seasons at Texas State, she helped the Bobcats win the 2003 Southland Conference Championship. Johnson also played a vital role in the recruitment of 11 All-Southland Conference players, a Southland Conference Player of the Year, a Freshman of the Year, and two SLC Newcomers of the Year.
 
She was named a head coach at Midwestern State in 2008 and posted 159 victories in the next 12 seasons. She led to the Mustangs to one Lone Star Conference regular-season title and an LSC Tournament championship. She guided the Mustangs to three postseason appearances during her career.
 
Johnson was named the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year in 2011-12 after leading the Mustangs to a nine-game improvement with 19 wins. In 2012-13, she was named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Small College Coach of the Year after leading Midwestern State to 26 wins, a Lone Star Conference championship, and the NCAA Division II South Central Region finals.

She began her coaching career at Texas State after a distinguished playing career at Texas Tech in 1991-95. Johnson helped lead the Red Raiders to four-straight Southwest Conference championships, four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances and an NCAA Championship in 1993. She was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection and earned All-Region honors once. Johnson ended her career as Texas Tech's all-time leader in 3-point percentage and is the most prolific three-point shooter in the Southwest Conference.
 
Johnson was the first-ever recipient of the Jeannine McHaney Award, an honor given by Texas Tech to the female athlete who most exemplifies classroom excellence, courage on the court, and a commitment to excellence.
 
Johnson graduated from Texas Tech in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science degree with a minor in English. She earned a master's degree at Texas State in education in 2002.
 
In 2019, Johnson was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, which followed enshrinements in the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2005.
 

Tracy Shoemake, Texas State Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA
"Noel was a bright light and a passionate coach.  She was an excellent teacher, mentor, and leader. Most of all, she was a champion on the court and in life. Noel inspired so many and will forever be missed and remembered. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the basketball community."
 
Zenarae Antoine, Texas State Head Coach
"Noel (Johnson) has left a positive stamp everywhere she has been. I remember watching her as a point guard for Texas Tech when they made the 1993 tournament run. I recall so many positive stories about her time at Texas State, and I have appreciated her as a coaching colleague, her passion for the game, and even more for the care she gave to her athletes. Her fight to the next chapter is very much in character for the great woman she is. The entire Bobcat Family mourns and celebrates Coach Noel Johnson". #OnceABobcatAlwaysABobcat
 
Suzanne Fox, Former Texas State Head Coach
"I am blessed that Coach Marsha Sharp recommended Noel to me when I took the head coaching position in 1997.  Noel was young, eager, and more than anything a competitor.  She had experienced success at the highest levels and was able to funnel that drive and compassion to her players. She had a wicked sense of humor, and more than anything, she enjoyed life and working with young people.   Her life impacted so many in the Bobcat family, and we will miss her dearly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Noel's family during this difficult time."