Northern Arizona University has named Ben Johnson as its new associate head coach and Nik Mains as assistant coach, reuniting two veterans with the Lumberjacks program. The moves come after both men previously contributed to the team’s growth in different capacities, and they now return with expanded responsibilities.
Johnson arrives after a lengthy career that spans more than three decades across six conferences. His most recent stop was an associate head coaching role at Charlotte, where he helped the 49ers climb from a 3‑15 conference record to the American Conference Semifinals. Prior to that, he guided programs such as Washington State and Wisconsin‑Green Bay, where he recruited future NBA stars like Klay Thompson and Aron Baynes and led the Cougars to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
Mains, a former Lumberjack player who spent six seasons as a student‑athlete from 2017 to 2023, returns after a stint as a graduate assistant at BYU. At BYU he helped the Cougars to a 49‑22 record over two seasons, contributed to defensive schemes, and played a key part in recruiting NBA draft prospect AJ Dybantsa. His deep familiarity with the program and his history as a top‑ranking player give him a unique perspective on player development.
Coach Burcar’s Vision
Head coach Shane Burcar emphasized that Johnson’s proven ability to develop talent and uphold NAU’s core values will have an immediate impact on the squad. He also highlighted Mains’ credibility with current student‑athletes, noting his recent coaching experience at Pinnacle High School and his role in shaping the Cougars’ recent successes.
The additions are positioned to reinforce NAU’s ambition of elevating its competitive profile while maintaining the program’s academic and community commitments. By blending Johnson’s extensive head‑coaching background with Mains’ insider knowledge and player‑development focus, the Lumberjacks aim to build on recent non‑conference victories and pursue sustained growth in the highly competitive Division I landscape.