WKU men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach Ryan Johnson has left the program to pursue a doctorate degree and be closer to he and his wife’s hometown, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications Todd Stewart confirmed Monday.

Johnson is from Texas and his wife, Sara, is from New Mexico. He’ll go to school in that area, Stewart said.

This season would have been Johnson’s second at WKU. He spent two seasons as the volunteer assistant men’s and women’s basketball strength and conditioning coach at Texas before joining Head Coach Ken McDonald’s staff.

McDonald hopes to find Johnson’s replacement soon, Stewart said.