LEWISTON — Almost a month after being hired, the Tiara Johnson era of Niagara University women’s basketball is underway.
It comes with hopes for a brighter future for the program which has struggled throughout its history, with a .379 all-time winning percentage. The first official moment of the Tiara Johnson era started inside the Gallagher Center when she was introduced in a press conference on Thursday.
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The St. Bonaventure alumna is the ninth head coach in program history. She replaces Jada Pierce, who went 113-205 during her tenure. Over the last two seasons, Niagara went a combined 4-53, including a 1-28 mark a year ago. As a result, a change was made at the top.
Now Johnson is tasked with making Niagara — a team with seven seasons over .500 in its 41-year history — a consistent competitor in The Metro.
“What I’m doing (building) this program from the foundation up,” Johnson said. “… We’re going to compete. We’re going to work relentlessly. We’re going to compete fearlessly and we’re going to represent this university with class.”
Niagara athletic director Simon Gray noted the last two seasons were not up to the standard, but he is happy for Pierce and her move to a new position as the general manager for the University of Albany women’s basketball team.
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The Kansas City, Missouri, native comes to Niagara after spending three years as the associate head coach at St. Bonaventure University. Last season, Johnson helped the Bonnies to a 17-16 overall record.
The biggest concern for Niagara is generating enough Name, Image and Likeness money to attract and retain players. The Purple Eagles have lost 18 players to the transfer portal since reaching the conference final in 2024.
Johnson will be bringing back four players from last year’s roster while also retaining three high school commits from Pierce. She also has five players who have yet to sign, but expects to do so. In order to complete the roster, she is also bringing in former Williamsville South standout Kimora Berry, who transferred from Holy Cross.
In her new position as the head coach, she will be spending time reaching out to donors as she tries to put together her roster and retain talent. When the event’s host Todd Callen was introducing Gray, Callen touted that the department set a new record for department fundraising, but he declined in the moment to go into specifics.
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Niagara president James J. Maher made a plea for donors during Johnson’s presser.
“Let’s line up behind her, let’s support her and let’s make this program not just one possession away, but in the NCAA Tournament, competing for excellence every year,” Maher said.
As she attempts to build her roster, Gray noted the program hopes to receive financial support from the community, alumni, the board of trustees and fans. The fundraising part of her job is one of the things Johnson has on her to-do list in her first 30 days on the job. She will be reaching out to donors and building relationships with them.
“I’m going to reach out to donors,” Johnson said. “I’m going to try to find revenue in different ways. But what I do know is I have the support of the administration to do whatever I need to get that revenue. But again, you never know until you get out there and reach. I haven’t yet, that’s next on my 30-day list. On me getting out there, talking to donors and driving revenue that way as well.”
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While she is working on finalizing her staff, Johnson has brought a familiar face to her staff in former Purple Eagle Angel Parker. Parker will be one of three assistant coaches on Johnson’s staff alongside former Siena coach Candace Leatherwood and another coach to be determined. Johnson will also be retaining director of basketball operations Skylar Nuffer in the same position.
Her experience coaching at the NCAA Division I level is what appealed to Gray. He was part of a five-person search committee alongside Maher, board of trustees members Jessica Kemp and Tom Summers, faculty member Bill Edwards, and deputy athletic director Susan Petronsky.
Gray said during the interviews with Johnson, once they started talking about the sport and strategy and how her teams play, Johnson opened up and got more comfortable. It is something that drew him to her as a candidate.
“Someone who was familiar with Division I was incredibly important, but we also looked for a relationship builder. Someone who can continue the strong momentum of Niagara women’s basketball on campus and in the community,” Gray said.
