Krystle Johnson guided the Hoover girls basketball program to its ninth state championship, including five in the past seven years under her tutelage.

The former Bucs star player was recognized on Thursday, named the USA Today High School Sports Awards national girls Coach of the Year.

“It’s truly an honor to be considered amongst some of the best coaches in the country,” Johnson said. “None of this is possible without my players, coaching staff and support system.”

Hoover won its third straight Class 7A championship last season, compiling a 35-1 record. Johnson has a 321-57 career record in 11 seasons with a 223-17 mark during her seven years at Hoover.

Johnson was an all-state player on the 2001 Hoover state championship team before playing at UCLA and Alabama. She coached in the Hoover program five years before taking over Huntsville High School in 2012 and came back to Hoover as head coach in the 2016-2017 season.