SPRING LAKE, MI – Spring Lake High School is proud to announce the hiring of Lance Johnson as the new head coach of the Varsity Boys Basketball program. A Spring Lake alumnus, Johnson returns to his roots following a highly successful tenure as the lead assistant at Rockford High School, where he helped guide the Rams to the 2026 Division 1 State Championship.
Johnson succeeds his former mentor, Coach Bill Core, bringing a wealth of championship-level experience and a deep understanding of the Laker tradition.
A Proven Track Record of Excellence
Coach Johnson’s resume spans every level of the game, from collegiate coaching to elite player development. His recent success at Rockford (2023-2026) is preceded by a distinguished career in West Michigan and beyond:
● Championship Pedigree: Lead Assistant for Rockford’s 2026 D1 State Title run.
● Head Coaching Experience: Led the Muskegon Reeths-Puffer program (2016-2021), where he was named the 2019 Local Sports Journal Class A-B Coach of the Year. He also served as Head Varsity Coach at Munising (2015) finishing with a record of 21-2.
● Collegiate & Elite Training: Served as an Assistant Coach at Dordt College (2014) and gained national perspective as an on-court player development coach at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas and as Camp Director at Midwest Elite Basketball.
● Local Roots: Previous coaching stops include Grand Haven (2022), Spring Lake (2013), and Orchard View (2010-2012).
“We are thrilled to welcome Lance back home to Spring Lake,” said JT Hogan, Athletic Director. “His experience at the highest levels of high school basketball, combined with his passion for player development and his history as a Laker, makes him the perfect fit to lead our program into its next chapter.”
Quote from Coach Johnson:
“It is an incredible honor to be named the next head coach of the Spring Lake Boys Basketball program. Taking the reins from a mentor and leader like Bill Core is a humbling task that I do not take lightly. Spring Lake is a special community that consistently shows outstanding support for its school system and student-athletes. I am beyond excited to get into the gym and start working with these young men as we begin building the next chapter of Spring Lake basketball together.”
Quote from Rockford Head Coach Kyle Clough:
“Coach Johnson has been instrumental in our program’s success over the last four seasons. When Coach came on staff we really took the next step, winning three district titles in four years, and of course the 2026 State Championship. Coach Johnson will be so missed in Rockford, but we are thrilled he has the opportunity to return home to lead the Spring Lake program. He is the perfect guy to take over after Coach Core’s retirement.”
Coming Home to Laker Nation
For Johnson, this appointment is a full-circle moment. As a student-athlete at Spring Lake High School, he played under Coach Bill Core, earning All-State Honorable Mention Honors in 2009. His younger brother (Austin) also played under Coach Core and graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer in 2013. Johnson’s transition back to the district extends beyond the hardwood; beginning this fall, Johnson will join the faculty as a Physical Education teacher at both the high school and middle school levels.
Johnson and his wife currently reside in Spring Lake with their newborn daughter, further deepening their ties to the community.
Spring Lake High School is a 780 student high school and will compete in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black Division again this upcoming school year. The Lakers are members of the Michigan High School Athletics Association.
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