Aaron Johnston

Biography

Aaron Johnston has built the South Dakota State University women’s basketball program into a standard bearer within The Summit League and across women’s college basketball. The dean of Summit League women’s basketball coaches, Johnston has infused a culture of excellence, embraced the balance of student and athlete and has the name South Dakota State equating to success. COACHING EXCELLENCE Entering his 26th full season (2025-26) at the helm of the Jackrabbits’ program, Johnston has created a mid-major powerhouse. Johnston has guided SDSU to 18 postseason appearances, including 13 NCAA Tournament berths, since the program made the jump to Division I in 2004-05. The nine-time Summit League Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) has guided the Jackrabbits to a winning record in all 25 years at South Dakota State, and has led SDSU to 22 20-plus win seasons, including 18 of the last 19 years. Johnston is South Dakota State’s winningest women’s basketball coach with a 628-195 career record (.763 winning percentage). He tops the Summit League's overall victories (458) and league victories (260) charts. Johnston enters the 2025-26 season with a 41-5 (.891) Summit League postseason tournament record and a 60-21 (.741) mark in all Division I postseason games (Summit League, NCAA, WNIT). ACADEMIC SUCCESS Under Johnston's guidance, South Dakota State has set a standard of excellence both on the court and in the classroom. The Jackrabbits have finished n