Mitch Johnson parents are John “JJ” Johnson, a 12-year NBA veteran and 1979 NBA champion, and Jenny Redman, a former competitive tennis player at the University of Washington.
Between an NBA All-Star father and a division-level athlete for a mother, Mitch Johnson did not stumble into basketball. He was born into it.
His Father John Johnson: The NBA Champion Who Started It All
John Johnson, known throughout the league as JJ, was one of the most versatile players of his generation.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he grew up playing at Lapham and Red Arrow parks alongside future NBA guard “Downtown” Freddie Brown. He attended Messmer High School, went on to play college basketball, and was drafted into the NBA, eventually playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks across a 12-year career.
His defining moment came in 1979, when he was a key starter on the Seattle SuperSonics’ NBA championship team. Standing 6-foot-7 and playing a versatile forward-guard role, John averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in the Finals, a profile that made him one of the earliest prototypes of the modern point forward. He was selected to two NBA All-Star Games during his career.
Mitch Johnson:
— Law Murray 🏴☠️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) May 16, 2026
– Father was John Johnson, who won 1979 NBA championship with Seattle SuperSonics
– Mitch born in Seattle, went to HS at O'Dea (same as Paolo Banchero)
– Was 21 when Sonics moved to Oklahoma
– Now will coach against defending champion Thunder in WCF pic.twitter.com/qLj8i9wfuv
After retiring, John stayed close to the game. He ran private workouts and trained young players in Seattle gyms well into his later years. Mitch has spoken about watching his father work with NBA players since he was six years old.
For as long as I have a memory, as I was six years old and watching him work out NBA players, it’s just the fundamentals. His ability to emphasize those fundamentals and teach those fundamentals.
Mitch Johnsons
John Johnson passed away in 2016 at the age of 68.
He is a member of the Milwaukee sports community‘s all-time basketball pantheon and was included in the Journal Sentinel’s survey of the greatest boys basketball players in Wisconsin history. His influence on Mitch is visible in every practice, every timeout, every quiet moment on the sideline.
His Mother Jenny Redman: The Competitive Fire No One Talks About
Most coverage of Mitch Johnson’s family stops at his father. What gets missed entirely is his mother.
Jenny Redman was a standout tennis player at the University of Washington, a Division I program. She brought a different kind of athletic discipline into the household: precision, mental toughness, and the kind of competitive drive that comes from an individual sport where there is nowhere to hide.
Mitch has jokingly referred to it as his “double competitive gene”, basketball intensity from his father, court toughness from his mother. Even after his parents divorced, both remained active in his life and his development.
Jenny kept the balance in Mitch’s upbringing at a time when his father’s NBA connections and basketball world could have consumed everything. She reminded him that school mattered, that family mattered, and that life was bigger than the game. Those are the qualities that show up consistently in how Mitch Johnson operates as a head coach, thoughtful, prepared, and relationship-first.
Mitch Johnson’s Own Family: Four Children and a Life Built in San Antonio
Mitch Johnson and his wife Jessica live in San Antonio, Texas, with their four children: Tasia, Tatum, Johnnie, and Jameson.
@bleacherreport Mitch Johnson celebrated with his family after a big Game 2 win ❤️ (via @Jessica Johnson) #nba #basketball #spurs #nbabasketball #nbaplayoffs ♬ original sound – bleacherreport
He has spoken openly about the challenge of balancing NBA head coaching demands with being present at home, a balance his own parents modeled in different ways.
He became the 19th head coach in San Antonio Spurs history on May 2, 2025, replacing the legendary Gregg Popovich after 29 seasons. In his first full season, he posted a 32-45 record, earned the trust of Victor Wembanyama, and was named head coach for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. He is 38 years old.
The family story that produced Mitch Johnson, an NBA champion father, a Division I athlete mother, and a kid who watched fundamentals being taught in Seattle gyms before he could read, is the story behind one of the NBA’s most quietly compelling coaching careers.
FAQs About Mitch Johnson Parents and Family
Who is Mitch Johnson’s father?
Mitch Johnson’s father is John “JJ” Johnson, a 12-year NBA veteran and two-time All-Star who won the 1979 NBA Championship with the Seattle SuperSonics. He played for the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Rockets, and Bucks during his career. He passed away in 2016 at age 68.
Who is Mitch Johnson’s mother?
His mother is Jenny Redman, a former competitive tennis player at the University of Washington. She remained a key influence in Mitch’s life after his parents divorced, emphasizing education, balance, and perspective alongside the basketball world his father inhabited.
Is Mitch Johnson related to any current NBA players?
No direct family connection to current NBA players has been confirmed. However, Mitch played college basketball at Stanford alongside Brook Lopez, who went on to a long NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks, among other teams.
Does Mitch Johnson have siblings?
Mitch Johnson has not spoken publicly about siblings in any confirmed interviews or official biographies. His family narrative has consistently centered on his parents and his own children.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mitchell Chase Johnson |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington |
| Father | John “JJ” Johnson (NBA champion, 12-year veteran) |
| Mother | Jenny Redman (University of Washington tennis player) |
| Wife | Jessica Johnson |
| Children | Tasia, Tatum, Johnnie, Jameson |
| Current Role | Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs (since May 2, 2025) |
| College | Stanford University (Sociology, 2009) |
