Johnson Assigned as Men’s Tennis First Assistant Coach
8/11/2026 3:11:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty Men's Tennis and Head Coach Derek Schwandt have announced the elevation of McKane Johnson to be the Flames' first assistant coach. Johnson will join the team at the beginning of the 2026 fall season.
"McKane will add tremendous value to every aspect of our program," Schwandt said. "He has a strong faith, work ethic, and passion to Train Champions for Christ. He is a humble, hungry and smart coach who will connect and motivate our team to get better every day."
Johnson comes to Liberty after graduating from Georgia State this past May. The Cumming, Ga., native was active from 2024-26, participating in over 30 singles matches and 45 doubles matches. He transferred to Georgia State after competing at Georgia College during his Freshman campaign.
According to Georgia State, Johnson served as a player-coach his sophomore year when he wasn't playing in the 2024 season. With the assistance of Johnson's guidance, the Panthers reached the SunBelt Championship Semifinals.
In his final season of action at Georgia State, Johnson made 20 singles appearances, being showcased in the No. 5 and 6 singles slots. He made 25 appearances in doubles, highlighted by two key SunBelt victories in the No. 2 doubles position with Edward Tymes.
Johnson excelled off the court in Atlanta, being named to Georgia State's President's List (4.0+ semester GPA) four separate times and the Dean's List (3.50 semester GPA or higher) twice. He has been named to the SunBelt Commissioner's List twice, in 2025 and 2026.
"McKane will add tremendous value to every aspect of our program," Schwandt said. "He has a strong faith, work ethic, and passion to Train Champions for Christ. He is a humble, hungry and smart coach who will connect and motivate our team to get better every day."
Johnson comes to Liberty after graduating from Georgia State this past May. The Cumming, Ga., native was active from 2024-26, participating in over 30 singles matches and 45 doubles matches. He transferred to Georgia State after competing at Georgia College during his Freshman campaign.
According to Georgia State, Johnson served as a player-coach his sophomore year when he wasn't playing in the 2024 season. With the assistance of Johnson's guidance, the Panthers reached the SunBelt Championship Semifinals.
In his final season of action at Georgia State, Johnson made 20 singles appearances, being showcased in the No. 5 and 6 singles slots. He made 25 appearances in doubles, highlighted by two key SunBelt victories in the No. 2 doubles position with Edward Tymes.
Johnson excelled off the court in Atlanta, being named to Georgia State's President's List (4.0+ semester GPA) four separate times and the Dean's List (3.50 semester GPA or higher) twice. He has been named to the SunBelt Commissioner's List twice, in 2025 and 2026.
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