The Niagara University women’s basketball team has a new leader just over a month after the departure of Jada Pierce.
Niagara intends to hire St. Bonaventure assistant Tiara Johnson as the program’s new coach, multiple sources told GNN Sports.
Johnson comes to the Purple Eagles after three years serving as the associate head coach for her alma mater, St. Bonaventure University.
Johnson replaces Pierce, who resigned on April 9, to explore other opportunities and has landed as an assistant and general manager at Albany. Johnson will be the ninth head coach in program history.
Johnson is inheriting a program that has come upon hard times in recent years going a combined 4-53 in the last two seasons, including a 1-28 record last season.
Johnson spent two stints St. Bonaventure, first from 2010 to 2016 and again since 2023. A former player for St. Bonaventure coach Jim Crowley, the Kansas City native followed him to Providence and returned for his second run with the Bonnies.
As a player, Johnson split her career between North Central Missouri State and St. Bonaventure averaging 3.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Niagara did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.