MINNEAPOLIS — The challenge of elevating Minnesota’s men’s basketball team to a formidable constant competitor in the Big Ten is perhaps greater than ever. This comes amid the escalating costs associated with thriving in the current competitive environment of major college sports.
The Gophers aim to make headway, demonstrated by athletic director Mark Coyle’s recent decision to part ways with coach Ben Johnson after a four-year tenure. Coyle has commenced the quest for a successor, holding steadfast to the belief that the coaching position is an attractive opportunity.
“We observed these past four years. We examined our performance in nonconference games and within the Big Ten, and it seemed the right moment for change, considering the shifts happening in college athletics,” Coyle mentioned. Despite only appearing three times in the NCAA Tournament over the past 15 years, he remains confident that Minnesota can achieve annual tournament participation.
From Indianapolis, during a video call with journalists—as he participates in the NCAA Tournament selection committee, a role he’s held for the past four years—Coyle emphasized the program’s potential. Highlighting the basketball practice facility inaugurated in 2018, the holistic support for athletes, the vibrant metropolitan environment, and the university’s Big Ten presence, he made clear his expectations for the program’s future.
“We’ve had inquiries from coaches eager to be part of this. They recognize the significance of the Big Ten and of Minnesota. Our media agreements are outstanding in terms of visibility, offering student-athletes exposure that aligns with their aspirations to advance to the next level,” Coyle noted. He believes Minnesota is well-positioned for success.
Now entering his tenth year in his role this coming fall, Coyle has navigated significant transitions including the Big Ten’s expansion to 18 teams, the disruption caused by the global pandemic, and the inception of the NIL era following the easing of transfer rules allowing athletes immediate eligibility upon transferring schools. The impending introduction of revenue sharing adds another layer of complexity to the financial landscape of power conference sports.
Nonetheless, Coyle expressed that University President Rebecca Cunningham is dedicated to maintaining competitiveness in this sport, despite the financial demands required for football and the need to uphold a balanced budget.
“Our ideal candidate will possess experience within these evolving environments and understand the shifting dynamics,” Coyle emphasized.
While Minnesota has a long history with organized basketball dating back to the late 1800s, sustained success has been elusive. Clem Haskins came closest, consistently challenging Big Ten squads during his 13-year tenure, which ended marred by a major academic fraud scandal. That controversy left lingering effects from which the program has yet to fully rebound, decades later. Haskins achieved Minnesota’s sole Final Four appearance in 1997.
Williams Arena, affectionately known as “The Barn,” once a formidable home advantage, retains potential despite its age—now standing at 97 years old with minimal updates over the past two decades. Last season, average attendance across 19 home games was 8,923, roughly 61% of the arena’s current capacity, marking a modest increase from the previous year. During Johnson’s initial season, average attendance was 10,267. Throughout the Big Ten, the average attendance last season was 11,934.
In seeking a new head coach, mid-major circuits present various promising candidates. This includes Colorado State’s Niko Medved, a Minnesota native and alumnus with coaching experience at Furman and Drake. Given Coyle’s history as a former Drake football player, he might consider the school’s successful basketball program under Ben McCollum. McCollum achieved an impressive 30-win first season after transferring from NCAA Division II’s Northwest Missouri State. His predecessor, Darian DeVries, led Drake to the NCAA Tournament thrice in six years before departing for West Virginia.
“There’s no question we need a coach who fully embraces Minnesota,” Coyle commented. “Excitement generation is key. Ultimately, I strongly believe that when you’re winning games, people want to participate.”