MINNEAPOLIS – On Thursday, the University of Minnesota announced the dismissal of head basketball coach Ben Johnson. After four years at the helm, Johnson’s efforts to rebuild the team at his alma mater fell short of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament—a target the program has struggled to reach amid the challenges of an increasingly competitive Big Ten conference.
Despite having two years left on his contract, which included a $2.92 million buyout clause, Johnson was let go. His annual salary, $1.95 million, was noted as the lowest among the 18 teams in the league.
The decision came after the Gophers ended their season with a 15-17 record following a defeat to Northwestern in the conference tournament’s opening round. Athletic Director Mark Coyle made the announcement early Thursday, following a late-evening discussion with Johnson after the team returned from their matchup in Indianapolis.
“I expressed my gratitude for his commitment to the program, one that he holds close to his heart, over these past four years. Ben is an exceptional individual, and we wish him success in the future,” remarked Coyle in a statement released by the university. “These decisions are challenging and undertaken with thoughtful assessment. Our program’s goals include competing for championships, and regrettably, that has not been achieved in recent years.”
Johnson’s tenure at Minnesota concluded with a record of 56 wins and 71 losses, with a 22-57 standing in conference play. Only Washington, an addition from the West Coast along with three other teams, had a poorer performance in the same timeframe.
