MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan athletic director Rick Comley is proud to announce the promotion of Ben Johnson to head coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams. 

Now in his second season with the program, Johnson played the role of assistant coach since his hire in August of 2023, primarily working with the women’s team last year. 

“We are very excited to announce Ben as our new head golf coach,” athletic director Rick Comley said. “He has great experience as an assistant and running the NMU golf course. He has a great relationship with the student-athletes and I am confident that he will lead us to an outstanding golf season.”

The 2023 season was a historic one for the NMU women’s program under Johnson’s guidance. Ben oversaw the women capture its fifth team tournament win in program history, two team second place finishes, and also guided Maya Hunter as an individual in this past year’s NCAA Tournament, where she placed in the top-20. Hunter, along with Alyssa Yaggie, and Russel Sprecher on the men’s side, earned All-GLIAC accolades in 2023. 

“Getting to be named the head coach is a great honor,” Johnson said. “We have two very good teams and great young talent. I’d like to thank athletic director Rick Comley for this opportunity and I’m very excited to take the next steps to bring this program in the right direction.”

A Northern Michigan University graduate and four-year member of the NMU golf team, Ben is the general manager for the NMU golf course, and holds coaching experience at the high school varsity level with the Marquette Senior High School golf team, and stints behind the bench with MSHS JV hockey and various Marquette Junior Hockey programs.