In the early hours of Thursday morning, University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle made a decisive move, relieving men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson of his duties. The announcement came shortly after the team’s flight landed in Minneapolis around midnight, following a first-round exit from the Big Ten Tournament. The timing was surprising, especially considering a recent ESPN report suggesting Johnson was likely to return for a fifth season.
Ben Johnson’s Tenure at Minnesota
A Minneapolis native and former Gophers player, Johnson took over the program in 2021, hoping to rebuild the team into a Big Ten contender. Over his four seasons as head coach, the Gophers struggled to find consistent success, compiling an overall record of 56-71 and a 22-57 mark in Big Ten play. Despite a slight improvement last season with a 9-11 conference record, Minnesota regressed to 7-13 in Big Ten play this year, finishing with a 15-17 overall record.
Coyle’s Statement and the Future of the Program
Athletic Director Mark Coyle emphasized that the decision was not made lightly. In his official statement, Coyle explained,
These decisions are difficult and are made after careful consideration and evaluation. The expectation for our program is to compete for championships, and unfortunately, we have not done that in the last four years.
With that, the university has already begun a nationwide search for Johnson’s replacement, aiming to bring in a leader who can revitalize the program and end the team’s six-year NCAA Tournament drought.
What’s Next for Minnesota Gophers Basketball?
The Minnesota Gophers will now shift their focus to hiring a new head coach who can elevate the team’s performance in a highly competitive Big Ten conference. The search process will likely consider experienced candidates with a strong recruiting background and a track record of success at the collegiate level. For Minnesota fans, the hope is that the next hire will be the one to turn the program around and bring the Gophers back to national relevance.
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