Report: Johnson wants Woodson back

May 5, 2008 - 9:19 PM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Joe Johnson reportedly wants Mike Woodson to return as the Atlanta Hawks' head coach next season.

The Hawks' lone All-Star, Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he wants Woodson and the entire assistant staff to remain in place.

Woodson's current contract is set to expire next month. After guiding the Hawks to a 37-45 regular-season record this past campaign, Woodson may have saved his job courtesy of Atlanta's spirited postseason effort against the Boston Celtics.

The eighth-seeded Hawks won all three home contests in their best-of-seven first-round series against the top-seeded Celtics, who finally ousted Atlanta with Sunday's 99-65 rout in Boston.

A day later, Johnson endorsed Woodson and his assistants in a report published by the Journal-Constitution.

"They have done so many good things for us this season," Johnson told the newspaper. "I've learned so much from (Woodson), and he's the main reason that attracted me to come here.

"Hopefully, we'll keep him and all of the other guys around."

Johnson, 26, averaged team highs of 21.7 points and 5.8 assists in 82 games this past season. The 6-7 swingman also was Atlanta's top scorer in the seven-game series with the Celtics, averaging 20.0 points.