George Atom Johnston
Elmwood Park,NJ
Summary
Dynamic basketball coach and recruitment coordinator with a proven track record at PhD Hoops, leading teams to championships and fostering player development. Skilled in game strategy and relationship building, I excel in mentoring athletes and ensuring their safety, achieving a bronze medal in my coaching debut. Committed to high performance and effective communication.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Coach & Recruitment Coordinator
PhD Hoops
Los Angeles
06.2025 - Current
- At PhD Hoops, I serve two different positions. One position is a recruitment coordinator which includes the following responsibilities but not limited to: recruiting athletes for international tours, communicating with families about the organization and trip details, reviewing/analyzing game film for acceptance/placement on our teams, and advertising for the program via social media. The other position is head coach for teams on mentioned international tours. I have coached players 12 years old through 21 years old and recently won a bronze medal in my first stint as a coach last year.
Also as coach, I am in charge of players' safety and conduct while on the tours, making sure that all rules,protocols, and laws are being followed both for our organization and for the various countries we are traveling to and attending.
Finally, I work as a coach for PhD Hoops camps when available which holds all of the similar responsibilities and duties that I have for my own personal camps with Stack. - Designed and implemented training programs tailored to enhance skills of athletes across all levels.
- Coordinated team schedules and practice sessions to maximize player development.
- Cultivated positive team culture through open communication and ongoing support for athletes.
Director of Basketball Operations & Head Coach
Mahwah Sports Performance (Stack)
Mahwah, NJ
02.2023 - Current
- I am in charge of STACK's entire AAU program which includes but not limited to: management of coaches, officials, and other staff; constructing teams & assignments; coaching our top level teams with the majority of those at the HS varsity level; direct contact of communication for all parents/guardians of everyone in our AAU program; head trainer of skill & development for players of all ages; camp(s) supervisor.
Over the past three years, our teams have won numerous league and tournament championships with the majority of those being teams that I've personally coached. At this position, it is pivotal to have open communication and establish genuine relationships with not just our players but parents/family as well. Almost all of our players are returners for multiple years and for teams that I've personally coached, my roster consists of players who play for me during the entire off-season and usually for all four years of their HS career (and some beyond as they started in middle school) in a field where so many players bounce around from program to program.
I have guided numerous athletes to receiving college offers and acceptances with many receiving both academic and athletic scholarships. - Coordinated daily operations for basketball programs and events, ensuring smooth execution and participant satisfaction.
- Managed logistics for team travel and accommodations, facilitating timely and organized trips for players and staff.
- Oversaw recruitment processes for coaching and support staff, aligning talent with program needs and enhancing team capabilities.
Sign Language Interpreter
Easter Seals
East Brunswick, NJ
01.2018 - Current
- Interpreted Sign Language for administration, staff, prospective employees, and clientele during meetings, training, orientations, and employment interviews to facilitate effective communication.
- Interpreted spoken language into sign language for community events and meetings.
- Supported communication between deaf and hearing individuals during meetings and events.
- Collaborated with educators to support deaf students in classroom environments.
Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Saddle River Day Board of Education
Saddle River, New Jersey
11.2024 - 03.2026
- Facilitated team meetings to dissect game strategies and prepare for upcoming matches, fostering team cohesion and strategic understanding.
- Collaborated with Varsity coach on opponent scouting and development of comprehensive scouting reports to enhance game strategy.
- Assisted head coach in developing practice plans and training schedules.
- Instructed athletes on fundamental basketball skills and techniques.
Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
Elmwood Park Board of Education
Elmwood Park, NJ
09.2016 - 03.2024
- Secured county and state tournament qualifications each year, winning first county games and league title in over 40 years.
- Returned in 2021, leading program to 15+ wins annually, including an 18-win season in 2023-2024.
- Achieved record of 17 wins in one season and 25 wins over two seasons before stepping down in 2018.
- Coached and managed all program aspects, including scheduling practices, games, and nutrition plans for athletes.
- Conducted scouting and game film reviews to refine strategies and improve team performance.
- Revamped girls basketball program from varsity to middle school levels, improving player development and competitive readiness.
- Mentored student-athletes in community role modeling and sportsmanship, fostering positive relationships and team culture.
- Coordinated safe transportation for athletes to contests, ensuring timely arrival and preparedness for competition.
Special Education Aide - Passaic A&S Charter
iLearn Schools
Passaic, New Jersey
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Assisted teachers in implementing individualized education plans for diverse learners.
- Supported students during classroom activities while providing behavioral guidance to enhance learning outcomes.
- Supported students in developing positive behavioral habits through reinforcement and encouragement in studies.
- Provided targeted support to individuals requiring extra academic or behavioral guidance, promoting their engagement and success in class.
- Collaborated with staff to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
- Monitored student progress and reported observations to instructional teams.
- Facilitated communication between students, teachers, and parents to foster collaboration and address individual needs.
- Participated in training sessions to enhance support strategies for special education needs.
- Organized educational resources and materials for classroom use.
Director of Basketball Operations / Coach & Trainer
Hoop Heaven
Waldwick, NJ
03.2014 - 02.2023
- Organized all teams and coaches from grades 1-12 year-round, overseeing tryouts, player evaluations, team construction, uniform distribution, coach evaluations, and daily communication with parents and players.
- Coordinated and facilitated camps, clinics, birthday parties, and private instruction to enhance participant engagement and skill development.
- Created and managed schedules for officials and employees overseeing games, locations, and job descriptions.
- Coordinated assignments and schedules for officials and employees overseeing games and locations.
- Conducted coach evaluations and maintained daily communication with parents and players.
- Developed and managed job descriptions and evaluations for league personnel, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
Long-Term Sub Replacement - Physical Education
Elmwood Park Board of Education
Elmwood Park, NJ
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Coordinated six physical education classes for grades 9-12, grading and submitting progress reports to track student progress.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
ASL High School Teacher
Butler Board of Education
Butler, NJ
09.2021 - 12.2021
- Taught six American Sign Language 1 classes for high school students in grades nine to twelve.
- Developed curriculum materials for inaugural ASL foreign language program at Butler High School, enhancing language acquisition and cultural awareness among students.
- Created Student Growth Objectives and Professional Improvement Plans for ASL program, aligning assessment strategies with student learning outcomes.
- Participated in IEP meetings for special education students, collaborating with educators and families to address individual learning needs.
Special Education 1 on 1 Aide
Westwood Board of Education
Westwood, NJ
09.2020 - 06.2021
- Provided assistance to a special needs student in Grade 3 which roles included but were but not limited to: Assisted student with all school assignments & organizational needs in every class.
- Contributed to Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings by providing valuable input on performance evaluation and future planning for the student.
- Managed crisis prevention by de-escalating physical situations, ensuring safety for student, classmates, and faculty.
- Assisted student during all social elements of the school day including lunch & recess.
Assistant High School Boys Basketball Coach
Westwood Board of Education
Westwood, NJ
09.2007 - 06.2021
- In coordination with the head coach, coaching and managing all of the aspects of a high school program including but not limited to: scheduling, planning of practices & games, coordinating strength/conditioning/nutrition plans for athletes, scouting and game film review, assisting in safe transportation to & from contests, game day responsibilities, and above all guiding the student-athlete into being a good role model for the community in which they live both on and off the court.
- Mentored student-athletes, promoting sportsmanship and enforcing accountability in competition.
- Mentored student-athletes on sportsmanship and ethical conduct on and off the court.
- Developed practice plans to improve player skills and foster teamwork.
- Organized game strategies that enhanced competitive performance during matches.
Sign Language Interpreter
Clifton Board of Education
Clifton, NJ
09.1998 - 02.2017
- Provided Sign Language interpreting for teachers, students, and administrative personnel to deaf student(s) during class to allow them to understand classroom instruction and conversation.
- Interpreted for all school-wide or grade-wide functions including assemblies, faculty/student presentations, awards ceremonies, and field trips.
- Provided vocal assistance for the deaf student during student-to-student interactions outside the classroom.
- Interpreted for 5th through 12th grade students across all subject areas and diverse classroom settings (mainstreamed & inclusion).
- Provided sign language interpretation for audio/video presentations lacking closed captioning or subtitles and for school-wide announcements via intercom.
- Contributed to Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings by evaluating deaf students' performance and aiding in future planning and developmental strategies.
- Assisted a student at Bleshman Regional Day School by providing physical support with walking, feeding, and personal care.
Sign Language Interpreter
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ
09.2006 - 05.2011
- Interpreted Sign Language for teachers, students, and administrative personnel to facilitate understanding of classroom instruction and conversation for deaf students in evening classes.
- Provided vocal assistance to deaf students during student-to-student interactions outside of the classroom to enhance communication.
- Supported all college-level coursework with a focus on psychology, sociology, and criminal justice to ensure comprehensive understanding.
Education
A.A. - Liberal Arts
Union County College
Cranford, NJ01-2006
Skills
- Player recruitment
- Game strategy
- Scouting analysis
- Skill training
- Player safety
- Athlete conditioning
- Match preparation
- Team leadership
- Team motivation
- Parent communication
- Relationship building
- Solid organizational skills
- Time optimization
- Multi-tasking
- Ability to work under pressure
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Computer literacy
- Internet savvy
- Leadership
- Mentorship
- Sportsmanship
- High performance commitment
- Problem solving
Certification
Educational Interpreter Diagnostic Center / EIPA Certified, 2005
Awards
Best Freshman Writer Academic Achievement Award, Union County College
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
American Sign Language
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
Accomplishments
- Top Creative Writer - English
- Multiple AAU Hoop Group Tournament Championships
- Coach of the Year - NJIC Colonial Division 2023-2024
Timeline
Head Coach & Recruitment Coordinator
PhD Hoops
06.2025 - Current
Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Saddle River Day Board of Education
11.2024 - 03.2026
Director of Basketball Operations & Head Coach
Mahwah Sports Performance (Stack)
02.2023 - Current
Special Education Aide - Passaic A&S Charter
iLearn Schools
08.2022 - 06.2023
Long-Term Sub Replacement - Physical Education
Elmwood Park Board of Education
03.2022 - 06.2022
ASL High School Teacher
Butler Board of Education
09.2021 - 12.2021
Special Education 1 on 1 Aide
Westwood Board of Education
09.2020 - 06.2021
Sign Language Interpreter
Easter Seals
01.2018 - Current
Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
Elmwood Park Board of Education
09.2016 - 03.2024
Director of Basketball Operations / Coach & Trainer
Hoop Heaven
03.2014 - 02.2023
Assistant High School Boys Basketball Coach
Westwood Board of Education
09.2007 - 06.2021
Sign Language Interpreter
William Paterson University
09.2006 - 05.2011
Sign Language Interpreter
Clifton Board of Education
09.1998 - 02.2017
A.A. - Liberal Arts
Union County College