Johnny Montello has led the Walsh Cavalier Women's Basketball program since May of 2025 coming after two previous stints at the University from 2016-2019 and 2020-22.
In his first season as head coach, in 2025-2026, the teams 17 wins was the most by a first year head coach in the DII era and since 2000. The team broke the most steals in a season record with 353. Redshirt Senior, Kiley Dyrlund, led the G-MAC in FG %, PPG, and steals on her way to All-Conference First Team and Midwest Region First Team honors. Dyrlund was also National Player of the Week by D2CIDA and the WBCA.
Before taking the helm of the Cavaliers program, Coach Montello served as the first assistant at IU Indianapolis under former Walsh Head Coach, Kate Bruce.
When at Walsh previously, Montello played a key role in some of the most successful seasons in Walsh Women's Basketball, particularly in the NCAA DII era. His leadership led to the programs first DII Sweet Sixteen appearance, a G-MAC regular season and tournament championship title, a program best 28-5 season in 2022, and 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. Montello also coached Sha Carter ('22) who is currently playing in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury. Along with his on-court success, Montello was selected as a WBCA Thirty Under 30 member 2 seasons in a row.
Coach Montello said, "I am motivated to help our athletes on and off the court become the best versions of themselves, who excel in the classroom, community, competition, and in life – and to create a culture that the entire Walsh University family can rally behind."
Montello received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Psychology with an Entrepreneurship minor from Hiram College in 2016 and then received his Masters of Business Administration in 2018.
