Former Emory & Henry College standout Tessa Johnston was announced as Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft’s lead assistant women’s basketball coach in June 2022. Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Johnston was promoted to Associate Head Coach for the program.
Johnston was a four-year letterwinner for the Wasps from 2015-19 and helped her class to a best-ever 83-27 record with three trips to the ODAC Tournament Semifinals and a berth in the ODAC Championship game and the NCAA Division III Second Round in 2018.
Prior to coming to Shenandoah Johnston served as a graduate assistant coach at DIII power DeSales University from 2019 through 2021. The Bulldogs posted a 32-5 record in those two years, winning a pair of MAC Freedom Championships and advancing to the 2020 NCAA Division III Tournament. She came about that experience after being selected to be a part of the Women’s Basketball Association’s “So You Want To Be A Coach” program in 2019.
After earning her master’s degree in academic leadership and reform, Johnston returned to her undergraduate alma mater to be an assistant women’s basketball coach during the 2021-2022 season, while also serving as an adjunct professor in the health and human performance department.
She helped E&H transition to NCAA Division II this time while serving the athletic department in both the sports information department and with the student-athlete advisory committee.
Her coaching experience also includes time with AAU programs and on the summer camp circuit as well as a volunteer at the high school level.
Johnston is involved in all aspects of the Shenandoah University program including practice and game management, player development, academic monitoring, recruiting, and scouting.
###
