STrib: Gophers look ready to invest more in Ben Johnson's coaching staff

[BleedGopher]

per Marcus:

The Gophers' hiring Monday of former Xavier and Minnesota assistant Ben Johnson ensured they'll pay less for their next men's basketball coach. But it doesn't necessarily mean they're going the cheap route.

Johnson will have a bigger salary pool for his assistants, athletic director Mark Coyle has hinted. Adding more experienced coaches to the staff could be critical for a first-time head coach at any level.

Potential assistant coaching candidates for Johnson: Dave Thorson (Colorado State), Jared Nuness (Baylor), Kyle Green (Northern Iowa).

Gophers look ready to invest more in Ben Johnson's coaching staff

Johnson is a first-time head coach at any level, and AD Mark Coyle has spoken of the need to increase the assistant coaching salary pool.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I didn't know Nuness was at Baylor.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

I didn't know Nuness was at Baylor.

Hey, Nuness is a hometown guy who recruits Minnesota well but has no head coaching experience. Why didn't Coyle hire him?

 

[Gophs24]

Dave Thorson-Associate Head Coach
Ed Conroy-Assistant Coach
Jared Nunes-Assistant Coach
Trent Tucker-Special Assistant/Director of Player Development

 

[Gopho Sapiens]

Hey, Nuness is a hometown guy with who recruits Minnesota well but has no head coaching experience. Why didn't Coyle hire him?

Because he found the guy he wanted in Ben Johnson?

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Dave Thorson-Associate Head Coach
Ed Conroy-Assistant Coach
Jared Nunes-Assistant Coach
Trent Tucker-Special Assistant/Director of Player Development

Larry Suggs - Influential Hanger On

 

[GopherBlood777]

Hey, Nuness is a hometown guy with who recruits Minnesota well but has no head coaching experience. Why didn't Coyle hire him?

Baylor highly successful as well

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Because he found the guy he wanted in Ben Johnson?

Very similar qualifications, and Nuness is at a far more successful program learning under a very successful coach. One didn't get an interview; the other became our head coach.

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Hey, Nuness is a hometown guy who recruits Minnesota well but has no head coaching experience. Why didn't Coyle hire him?

He couldn’t even get his cousin to go to Baylor. Maybe maybe him assistant head coach?

 

[Minnesconsin fan]

I can't find anything definitive on this... Was the whole staff let go with Pitino? or are they still under contract and would be interviewing with Ben to see if they stay?

 

[GopherGod]

Just think how much more they would have invested in getting star assistants if they weren’t paying Johnson close to 2 million. It isn’t like he would have turned down 1.1-1.2 million

 

[TNGophfan]

Any of the insiders on here heard anything on assistants or how soon we might hear something?

 

[FullBanana]

Dave Thorson-Associate Head Coach
Ed Conroy-Assistant Coach
Jared Nunes-Assistant Coach
Trent Tucker-Special Assistant/Director of Player Development

Yes please.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Hey, Nuness is a hometown guy who recruits Minnesota well but has no head coaching experience. Why didn't Coyle hire him?

Actually Nuness has been a head coach at two high schools.

 

[gall0249]

Yes please.

Why Conroy? Time to move on from him, in my eyes. If it’s to keep Liam, fine. But if Thorson is here then there’s no need for him.

 

[Gophs24]

Why Conroy? Time to move on from him, in my eyes. If it’s to keep Liam, fine. But if Thorson is here then there’s no need for him.

basically for me would be for both keeping Liam. But also having 2 experienced guys in Thorson and Conroy would be great for a guy with Johnson.

 

[Rouser]

We have the local recruiting covered with the head man. Whoever is added to staff should not be redundant. I hope we find someone that has good contacts in a region not covered by Ben.