Minnesota University fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson on Thursday, four years after hiring him despite repeated rebuilding efforts that failed to lead to an NCAA tournament appearance. The decision comes with two seasons remaining on Johnson’s contract, which includes a $2.92 million buyout.
Athletic director Mark Coyle announced the move in a statement, stating that the program expects to compete at the highest level and calling for championships. Coyle, who serves on the NCAA tournament selection committee, has long sought relevancy for the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Johnson, 44, had been hired as head coach after serving five seasons as an assistant at Xavier. He took over a program that had lost key players to transfers due to NCAA transfer rules allowing athletes to switch schools without sitting out a season. Despite making strides in recent years, the Gophers continued to struggle with scoring and attendance.
The decision marks a significant change for Minnesota’s men’s basketball program, which has not appeared in an NCAA tournament since 2009. The team finished 15-17 this season, losing to Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten conference tournament.
Coyle announced that the university will begin a nationwide search for Johnson’s successor, citing the need for continuity and success on and off the court.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44233217/minnesota-fires-coach-ben-johnson-four-seasons