Southside Christian School announced this week that Ben Johnson will lead its boys basketball program beginning next season, tapping a coach whose recent track record includes a state championship appearance and a reputation for building disciplined, competitive teams.
Johnson spent three years at Spartanburg Christian Academy, guiding the team to a 2026 SCISA Class 3A state championship game and earning recognition for his ability to develop talent while emphasizing academic and personal growth.
Before his head‑coaching role, he served seven years as associate head coach at Anderson University, where he helped shape a program that consistently contended for conference honors.
Connecting Roots to a New Challenge
A native of the Upstate, Johnson attended Boiling Springs High School before playing college basketball at Spartanburg Methodist College, giving him a lifelong connection to the region’s basketball culture.
He has spoken openly about his desire to invest not only in players but also in their families, aiming to create a supportive environment that extends beyond the gym.
At Southside Christian, Johnson inherits a program that has reached the playoffs each of the past four seasons but has been unable to advance past the first round, a hurdle he hopes to clear through a culture of accountability, consistency and relentless effort.
His vision calls for a foundation built on discipline, belief and toughness, qualities he believes will translate into wins and character development alike.
The hiring has been welcomed by parents, alumni and local basketball enthusiasts who see in Johnson a coach capable of turning the program into a perennial contender while preserving the school’s core values.