per Yahoo Sports...

San Jose State turned to a familiar face as its new men's basketball coach.

Phil Johnson, who spent the last 2 1/2 seasons as an ***istant with the NBA's Chicago Bulls, was signed to a four-year contract Monday after Steve Barnes left the program to become ***ociate coach at Iowa State.

Johnson returns to San Jose State, where he coached the Spartans to a 12-16 record during the 1998-99 season.

"It's not very often one gets a second opportunity in this business," he said. "I'm thankful for a second opportunity to be the head basketball coach at San Jose State. When I left, there were things left undone. Now I can get the job done."

During his lone season in charge of the Western Athletic Conference school, Johnson posted 11 home wins -- the highest total at The Event Center since the facility opened in 1989. He came to San Jose State after five seasons as an ***istant at Arizona , also serving in the same capacity at Tulsa and New Orleans.

"I think it is nothing short of a miracle. It's very rare in Division I basketball where a successful coach is in a position to come back," Spartans athletic director Chuck Bell said. "I think San Jose State University is very, very fortunate. Phil was a good coach here and he was very popular. His three years in the NBA will make him an even better coach."

Barnes was 10-22 in his final season at San Jose State, which finished next-to-last in the WAC at 4-14.