IOWA CITY, Iowa – Tamika Brekke and Maggie Johnson have been named assistant coaches with the University of Iowa volleyball program, head coach Jim Barnes announced on Tuesday.
Brekke will join the staff as the director of video analytics, in addition to her role as an assistant coach. Brekke comes to Iowa City from Kent State, where she had been an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2022-2024. In 2022, she helped the Golden Flashes post their best non-conference record (9-2) since 2008.
Prior to Kent State, Brekke served as a volunteer assistant at Kansas State and guided the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. A native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Brekke competed for North Carolina Central in 2015, before finishing her career at North Dakota. She helped the Fighting Hawks capture back-to-back Big Sky Tournament championships, which resulted in automatic NCAA Tournament qualification.
“Tamika will be an excellent analyst for our team, in addition to recruiting and coaching,” Barnes said. “She relates well and is a very hard worker. We are excited to welcome Tamika to the Hawkeye family.”
Johnson comes to Iowa City after serving as head coach for four seasons at Jacksonville University. Prior to her role in Jacksonville, Johnson was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio University. In her time at Ohio, Johnson brought in five nationally recognized recruiting classes. She coached several All-MAC Team honorees, including the 2019 Player of the Year, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, 2017 Freshman of the Year, and the 2017 and 2019 Setters of the Year.
As a student-athlete, Johnson competed at Belmont University, where she was the 2011 ASUN Co-Player of the Year and a four-time All-ASUN selection. She was a two-year team captain and as a senior, ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA for kills per set.
“We are happy to add Maggie to our staff as an assistant coach,” Barnes said. “She is very experienced in both recruiting and training. Maggie will do an outstanding job serving and mentoring our players. We are thrilled to welcome Maggie to the Hawkeye family.”
The Hawkeyes begin their spring season with a scrimmage at Drake on March 23.