Gophers fire Ben Johnson after four seasons and quick Big Ten tournament exit
Johnson’s record was 56-71 overall and 22-57 in Big Ten play in four seasons, which included finishing 13th or lower in the conference three times.By Marcus Fuller
The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 13, 2025 at 8:57AM
The Gophers fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson early Thursday following his third losing Big Ten season in four years.
The decision which will cost the University of Minnesota a $2.93 million buyout of his contract.
The Gophers finished 15-17 and ended their season with a 72-64 loss to Northwestern in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle met with Johnson after the basketball team returned to Minnesota from Indianapolis just after midnight.
“I thanked him for his dedication and for guiding the program, one he cares deeply about, for the last four years,” Coyle said in a statement. “These decisions are difficult and are made after careful consideration and evaluation.”
Johnson, 44, a former Gophers player and assistant coach, was paid an annual salary of $1.95 million, and had two years left on his contract through 2026-2027. He was the lowest paid head coach in the Big Ten this season.
Johnson’s record was 56-71 overall and 22-57 in Big Ten play in four seasons, which included finishing in the lower half in the conference three times. The Gophers were 7-13 in the Big Ten this season, but they finished 12th out of 18 teams.
“The expectation for our program is to compete for championships, and unfortunately, we have not done that in the last four years,” Coyle added.
After four seasons leading the Gophers, it was announced early Thursday morning that Ben Johnson would not be returning
The Gophers fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson early Thursday after four years at the helm.
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