Sydney Johnson leaves Princeton for Fairfield

Sydney Johnson is leaving Princeton to become the head coach at Fairfield University. Johnson is a 1997 graduate of Princeton and has spent four years as its head coach. He recently led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament appearance in seven years and nearly upset Kentucky in the first round. The news was confirmed to ESPN.com by Princeton athletic director Gary Walters.

"The Princeton family is disappointed but we wish Sydney all the best," Walters told the website.

Fairfield is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Stags finished the season 25-8, making an appearance as a No. 6 seed in the National Invitation Tournament, and losing to Kent State 72-68 in the second round. Johnson is replacing Ed Cooley, who was recently named the head coach at Providence.