Jackson State finds Mo Williams replacement in interim head coach

Story by

Randall Barnes, ClutchPoints

Wed, Apr 15, 2026 ·

3 min read

Jackson State finds Mo Williams replacement in interim head coach appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

Jackson State has found a successor to Mo Williams in their pursuit of a new leader for the men’s basketball program. The Tigers are hiring a familiar face to lead Jackson State, as the athletics department announced the promotion of Trey Johnson as head coach of the team. He was named interim head coach after Williams’ departure earlier this month.

In a statement released by Jackson State, Johnson spoke highly of the opportunity to lead his alma mater.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be chosen to lead the men’s basketball program here at my Alma mater. This university is more than just a place to me, it is part of my foundation, my character, the fabric of who I am. As a former student-athlete and champion here, I understand firsthand the pride, passion, and tradition that define this program and this community. My family’s rich history with Jackson State has shaped my life’s journey. This opportunity is personal. It’s about pouring back into the same institution and city that poured so much into me, while honoring those who came before me and building something that future Tigers will be proud to carry forward.”

Ashley Robinson also spoke highly of Johnson in a statement.

“There are not many chances you get to have one of your own lead a program, and we have that with Trey Johnson. He brings a championship pedigree as a player here at Jackson State and has won at every level as a player and a coach. We are excited about the opportunity of having a former Tiger lead our men’s basketball program.”

Before being appointed head coach, Johnson served on Williams’ staff as associate head coach. He’s known for his player development across stops at Alabama State and Jackson State. Before his coaching career, he built a significant legacy as a basketball player for Jackson State. With his family legacy already deep at Jackson State—with his wife, brother, father, and several family members attending the institution—he found himself etched in the record books for the basketball program.

During his time with the Tigers, he earned First Team All-SWAC honors in consecutive seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07). His senior year was especially memorable, as he averaged more than 27 points per game, placing him among the nation’s top scorers. That performance helped him earn the 2006–07 SWAC Player of the Year award. Entering that season, he had already been recognized as the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year. Johnson capped off the year by being named SWAC Tournament MVP while leading Jackson State to the 2007 SWAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Johnson’s impact on the program is reflected throughout the Jackson State record books. He still holds the school’s single-season marks for total points and scoring average, along with records for free throws made and attempted. Despite playing just two seasons with the program, he also surpassed the 1,000-point milestone. His standout play earned national recognition as well, including Box To Row All-American honors. Johnson was a finalist for the Bailey Howell Trophy in 2006 and went on to win the award in 2007. His contributions to the program were later honored with his induction into the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Now, Johnson looks to continue to build on the success of Jackson State basketball. Jackson State experienced a challenging 2025–2026 campaign compared to the expectations established during Mo Williams’ tenure. The Tigers finished the season with a 12–21 overall record while going 10–8 in SWAC play. In the conference tournament, Jackson State opened with a win over Grambling State but was eliminated in the following round after a 70–60 loss to Florida A&M.