The verdict is in — everybody loves Trent Johnson.Well, maybe not everybody. But one game into the men’s basketball season, fans seem happy with the Tigers’ new coach.”It’s nice to see [Johnson] out there,” said Hugh Buckingham, University professor. “He’s got good experience, and he seems to know the game, and everybody likes him.”Johnson’s debut — a 79-65 win against Jackson State — saw a paid attendance of 11,511 fans in the PMAC.”It was a great day for basketball,” said sophomore guard Bo Spencer. “The Tiger Band was here, it is the 100th anniversary [of LSU basketball], and we have a new coach. The atmosphere was great. It’s always nice to play when you have all of that to play for. We are trying to bring LSU basketball back to LSU.”Before accepting the LSU job, Johnson coached at Nevada and Stanford, where he compiled a career 159-122 record and four NCAA tournament appearances in nine seasons. His teams also made two appearances in the National Invitational Tournament.Those familiar with Johnson’s track record said they have supported the hire from the beginning.”I thought it was a great hire,” said Eric Reimsnyder, finance junior. “It’s good to get someone from the West Coast where we can get some strong basketball, some good talent and a change in the program.”Johnson was hired in April as the permanent replacement for former coach John Brady, who was fired in February after starting last season with a disappointing 8-13 record.While at LSU, Brady was known as a respectable coach but was also known to have a volatile temper and display erratic behavior on the sidelines during contests.Fans said they saw evidence Johnson won’t be the same type of coach during his career at LSU, which is a good thing.”[Johnson] seems a lot more dedicated, and I feel like he has a lot more heart than John Brady did,” said Sarah Reed, agriculture business junior. “[Brady] had a big temper, but I don’t think he had a lot of heart.”Others said Johnson’s attitude was reflected in the players, and it will help the team stay motivated when the times are tough.”Coach Brady, you would always know how he felt, and I think the players could get down when he was down, and you can tell it’s not going to happen with [Johnson],” Reimsnyder said. “His demeanor is one that says, ‘We’re always going to have a chance’ no matter if we’re down by 20 or up by 20.”That mentality was seemingly exemplified Saturday, as the Tigers struggled early in the contest, which was tied at 39 at halftime. LSU broke away in the second half to put Jackson State away.The game featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes through the first 27 minutes before LSU took its final lead and never trailed again.”I like [his style of coaching],” said Ben Giamalva, University alumnus. “He’s a bit more subdued, and he’s going to get a lot more out of his players but . . . X’s and O’s, it’s too hard to tell this early in the season.”—-Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]