Gregg Popovich – head coach, San Antonia Spurs "Avery Johnson has a unique blend of desire, basketball knowledge and compassion. While we will miss having him in the NBA family, I'm excited to see what he brings to the University of Alabama and the NCAA. I think it's a great hire." Don Nelson – former head coach, Dallas Mavericks "I always thought he was a natural coach. That’s why I brought him in to replace me. He’s [proved] that to be the case." Ben Jobe – Johnson’s college coach and current NBA scout for New York Knicks "I think he would do as much for Alabama as Alabama would do for him, probably more in terms of image. His knowledge of the game is off the charts. Avery has so many strong points. He's a good community man. He has a lot of passion for people and he's a giver, not a taker. He follows that Martin Luther King philosophy. I think he's anointed as a leader. He's the closest thing I've ever had in my life as an anointed leader. If I got sick or whatever, my practices ran better when he ran it." Bill Simmons – ESPN columnist, analyst, editor, author “Big congrats to Avery Johnson for his new gig. Loved getting to know him last year – total joy to be around. I’m on the Bama Hoops bandwagon.” Tim Brando – Fox Sports & Sirius XM sportscaster “Home Run Hire in Tuscaloosa. Avery Johnson’s a friend that I covered while he played at Southern. Without CBB experience, but connected.” Skip Bayless – ESPN analyst "I think that Avery is going to surprise, if not shock, some people with the job he does at Alabama, the football school. He has high charisma. He is a lightning rod and I think it will serve him well in recruiting young men. We know he has a high basketball IQ. He is very well suited to this." Chris Carter – Former NFL WR & current ESPN analyst “Congrats to Avery Johnson begin selected as Alabama’s next basketball coach. Great coach, and a better man. God bless you and your family” Seth Davis – Sports Illustrated & CBS Sports reporter “This has been a great few weeks for SEC hoops. Barnes, Howland, now Avery Johnson coming into the league. Way to step it up.” Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints RB; Alabama alum “Alabama trying to make moves on the court! Roll Tide” Nick Perry – Alabama football student-athlete “Great hire. Avery Johnson won an NBA championship as a player and was NBA Coach of the Year. Who else to help these guys get back to winning!?” Avery Johnson Jr. “Congrats to my dad on becoming the new head coach at the University of Alabama” .