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Phil D. Johnson is a former college basketball player and a former basketball coach. He played college basketball at Utah State University and Weber State, and has coached collegiately at Weber State University.
Johnson, a native of Grace, Idaho, began his sports career at Utah State University. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in physical education, he lettered in both track and basketball. As a graduate student, he served as assistant coach to LaDell Anderson. He went on to work as assistant coach under Dick Motta at Weber State University.
He has served as head coach for two different National Basketball Association teams. He was the head coach for the Sacramento Kings in three different locations — Sacramento, Kansas City, and when the team split time between Kansas City and Omaha; he also coached one game for the Chicago Bulls.
Johnson assumed head coaching duties for the Kansas City/Omaha Kings midway through the 1973-74 season. The Kings finished the season at 33-49, but Johnson earned Coach of the Year honors the next season when he guided the team to an 11-game improvement at 44-38 and its first playoff berth in seven seasons. Johnson garnered 21 of 54 votes from media, defeating Al Attles and K.C. Jones.
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