ESPN's Jeff Borzello: "As of time of publish, it seems Ben Johnson is likely to get another year at Minnesota."

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Beerculees said:
I think only Coyle knows if Ben will get another year. By all metrics he does not deserve another one. I do think the local media banging the Ben drum is something he is stirring up with them or they are doing for clicks.

75% confidence that Ben is fired within the next week. Whalen is more of a legend. Had a better record. Had better recruits and we still made a move. Coyle will do the right thing.

Ben: 56-70 (.444), 22-57 (.278)
Lindsay: 71-76 (.483), 32-58 (.356)
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Or is the “media banging the Ben drum” from Coyle testing the PR hit it may be to bring him back?
 

golfing18now said:
That might be true but doesn't that become a "chicken or the egg" argument? How do you attract NIL donations with the record of the current coach? Part of his issue is he is so uninspiring and a perpetual expectations wet blanket. PJ Fleck with all his quirks works in the same environment but exceeds expectations to the point of competing well against everybody but the really big fish in the B1G (OSU/Michigan/Penn State/Oregon). We now shoot for Northwestern in basketball?
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This is on Coyle to figure out. I don't think Teague and Coyle fired coaches to end up with Richard Pitino and Ben Johnson. They ended up with them because big coaches don't want to come here. Teague pivoted to a legends son and Coyle pivoted to a local guy with hopes of local recruiting. Both didn't work for one reason or another.

I'm excited by the article last week about Coyle wanting to be in the top 1/3 of revenue sharing for the B1G which would be a good step in making it a more attractive position for someone. Coaches aren't stupid and know that if they make one wrong step in their career they may never get another shot at a big job.
 

forever a gopher said:
Let's ignore if you think he "deserves" another year for whatever reason you choose, and just look at this objectively. What is the absolute best-case scenario for next year that is actually plausible?

Looking at the roster, Betts, Frank Mitchell, Grayson Grove and Asuma will be the only returnees. Then add in three freshman who based on their rankings and other offers likely won't be big-time contributors out of the gate. That leaves up to 6 spots up in the air. If we go off of CBJ's history on the level of player he'll be able to attract, we can reasonably predict what those players will be like. Also looking at how long this year's team took to "gel" and in 25/26 relying a ton on "one and done" transfers yet again (likely also acclimating to the B1G from a lower division), what will be the performance of those guys the first 1/3 to half the season?

I would argue the absolute best case scenario is a 8-12 conference record with a bunch of cupcake wins in the non-con. If all things go right, at best it puts us on the fringe of the NCAA's, but very likely on the outside looking in. While there is always a chance, I have a hard time believing there is better than a 5-10% chance next year's team is better than this year's team. At which point I would say, what is the point of keeping him on? If you're rolling the dice on a 10% chance you're better and a fringe NCAA team, but the much higher likelihood is further alienating and driving away the fan base, is that really a risk worth taking?
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The presumption you make is that the recruits Ben has been able to get with only the NIL in place (and us having not much of it by high D1 standards) are the same type of recruits he will get with perhaps 3 million plus in revenue sharing. I think that if Coyle keeps Ben, the only way he is keeping him is if he is throwing him big financial backing.

Think of it this way (looking at it from Coyle's viewpoint). Let's suppose he has 7 million dollars to be on fixing basketball next year. He can do it with 2.3 million in buyout to Ben and 2 million to players and 2.7 million to a new, better coach (presumably)- or he can bet the whole 7 million on Ben and the players. Furthermore, Ben is likely to be able to keep his HS recruits economically, keep Frank, perhaps Cochran, Asuma and Grove. So now it's 2 million to Ben and 5 million goes in large part to portal recruits that Ben can go after day 1.

Ben has done poorly, under some bad circumstances. Very poorly in the W column which is what it is all about. However, his players have been credits to the institution in terms of character and they have played hard. This team over achieved their ability (for proof- look at our predictions at the start of the year).

To me if Coyle is making this decision on his own, if Ben doesn't make the NCAA tourney next year- they both should get fired. If Ben makes the tournament (as not one person here predicts) they both should get a raise and an extension. It's an "all in" moment.

Right now- either way, the program has bottom out and whether Ben is fired or not, we are about to get a string of good news for the program. The money is going to go into the program- it has to. Either we are getting a big time coach or we are throwing big time money behind Ben. Recruits play for money these days- not so much for the school names on the jersey.
 
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GopherNuts said:
I would think this is a reflection of them not having the money to attract the quality of coach they want as much as anything. The reasons for firing him are obvious, that goes without saying. In the long run, change for change's sake doesn't benefit you either, just puts you on the hook for 4-5 years with someone else you got on the cheap that's a roll of the dice. They need to make a splash with their next hire, hiring Tauer or Medved isn't doing that.
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100% correct.
 

MVGopherfan said:
Or is the “media banging the Ben drum” from Coyle testing the PR hit it may be to bring him back?
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I am convinced that the pressure is on Coyle to save Ben and the program right from the President. I believe that Coyle has whispered to the right people who talk to the media, that we are keeping Ben so that the public is well prepared for Ben being retained.
 


bga1 said:
I am convinced that the pressure is on Coyle to save Ben and the program right from the President. I believe that Coyle has whispered to the right people who talk to the media, that we are keeping Ben so that the public is well prepared for Ben being retained.
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I've had this thought as well and believe it to be true. A media blitz like we've seen is orchestrated in some way.

The problem is that the fans know better. When we see Seth Davis' tweet, we're like, what am I supposed to believe, you or my eyes?
 

bga1 said:
The presumption you make is that the recruits Ben has been able to get with only the NIL in place (and us having not much of it by high D1 standards) are the same type of recruits he will get with perhaps 3 million plus in revenue sharing. I think that if Coyle keeps Ben, the only way he is keeping him is if he is throwing him big financial backing.

Think of it this way (looking at it from Coyle's viewpoint). Let's suppose he has 7 million dollars to be on fixing basketball next year. He can do it with 2.3 million in buyout to Ben and 2 million to players and 2.7 million to a new, better coach (presumably)- or he can bet the whole 7 million on Ben and the players. Furthermore, Ben is likely to be able to keep his HS recruits economically, keep Frank, perhaps Cochran, Asuma and Grove. So now it's 2 million to Ben and 5 million goes in large part to portal recruits that Ben can go after day 1.

Ben has done poorly, under some bad circumstances. Very poorly in the W column which is what it is all about. However, his players have been credits to the institution in terms of character and they have played hard. This team over achieved their ability (for proof- look at our predictions at the start of the year).

To me if Coyle is making this decision on his own, if Ben doesn't make the NCAA tourney next year- they both should get fired. If Ben makes the tournament (as not one person here predicts) they both should get a raise and an extension. It's an "all in" moment.

Right now- either way, the program has bottom out and whether Ben is fired or not, we are about to get a string of good news for the program. The money is going to go into the program- it has to. Either we are getting a big time coach or we are throwing big time money behind Ben. Recruits play for money these days- not so much for the school names on the jersey.
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The problem is the other B1G teams get revenue sharing as well. So yes, they're spending money, but by comparison to conference foes they're still coming to a gun fight with a knife.
 

Bad Gopher said:
I've had this thought as well and believe it to be true. A media blitz like we've seen is orchestrated in some way.

The problem is that the fans know better. When we see Seth Davis' tweet, we're like, what am I supposed to believe, you or my eyes?
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Yep - it feels the same as how it started. Honestly, I would get this better than I understood the hiring in the first place. I was stunned. I would not be today.
 

forever a gopher said:
The problem is the other B1G teams get revenue sharing as well. So yes, they're spending money, but by comparison to conference foes they're still coming to a gun fight with a knife.
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The strategy could be this: far easier to attract coaching talent next year being able to demonstrate having more money to spend and spending it. At this point, it's more speculative, requiring a leap of faith.
 



bga1 said:
The presumption you make is that the recruits Ben has been able to get with only the NIL in place (and us having not much of it by high D1 standards) are the same type of recruits he will get with perhaps 3 million plus in revenue sharing. I think that if Coyle keeps Ben, the only way he is keeping him is if he is throwing him big financial backing.

Think of it this way (looking at it from Coyle's viewpoint). Let's suppose he has 7 million dollars to be on fixing basketball next year. He can do it with 2.3 million in buyout to Ben and 2 million to players and 2.7 million to a new, better coach (presumably)- or he can bet the whole 7 million on Ben and the players. Furthermore, Ben is likely to be able to keep his HS recruits economically, keep Frank, perhaps Cochran, Asuma and Grove. So now it's 2 million to Ben and 5 million goes in large part to portal recruits that Ben can go after day 1.

Ben has done poorly, under some bad circumstances. Very poorly in the W column which is what it is all about. However, his players have been credits to the institution in terms of character and they have played hard. This team over achieved their ability (for proof- look at our predictions at the start of the year).

To me if Coyle is making this decision on his own, if Ben doesn't make the NCAA tourney next year- they both should get fired. If Ben makes the tournament (as not one person here predicts) they both should get a raise and an extension. It's an "all in" moment.

Right now- either way, the program has bottom out and whether Ben is fired or not, we are about to get a string of good news for the program. The money is going to go into the program- it has to. Either we are getting a big time coach or we are throwing big time money behind Ben. Recruits play for money these days- not so much for the school names on the jersey.
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Great post. I agree entirely with the bolded, if he's back, both should have their jobs on the line. But no way the President will fire an AD not in scandal at The U, we just don't care enough about sports sadly.

I hope Borzello is wrong and an announcement is made the morning after our BTT loss.

Go Gophers!!
 

forever a gopher said:
The problem is the other B1G teams get revenue sharing as well. So yes, they're spending money, but by comparison to conference foes they're still coming to a gun fight with a knife.
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You are missing a major point. Our conference has more revenue sharing $$ available than any other conference. There are a LOT of really good players out there that can be had that would make us compete in the Big Ten. We will have a chance to field a team that is competitive talent wise with 80% of the Big Ten. That has not been true in the recent past.

There are 90 starting players on Big Ten teams. Dawson Garcia is rated the 427th best player on Evan Miya. Now that is crazy off. Garcia is definitely a top 100 player. But the top 300 players in the country are really, really good and we have a chance to get 3-4 of them if we load up the cash register and start dealing out money.
 





bga1 said:
You are missing a major point. Our conference has more revenue sharing $$ available than any other conference. There are a LOT of really good players out there that can be had that would make us compete in the Big Ten. We will have a chance to field a team that is competitive talent wise with 80% of the Big Ten. That has not been true in the recent past.

There are 90 starting players on Big Ten teams. Dawson Garcia is rated the 427th best player on Evan Miya. Now that is crazy off. Garcia is definitely a top 100 player. But the top 300 players in the country are really, really good and we have a chance to get 3-4 of them if we load up the cash register and start dealing out money.
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But if the revenue sharing raises all boats in the B1G, we'd still have the same handicaps that have always prevented us from recruiting at an elite level. Stadium/weather/coach/tradition/lack of NIL/others. Unless you believe we will outspend other teams in the B1G (I'll believe it when I see it), doesn't that get us to the same place? Are you arguing "we'd be great in the ACC!".
 


golfing18now said:
But if the revenue sharing raises all boats in the B1G, we'd still have the same handicaps that have always prevented us from recruiting at an elite level. Stadium/weather/coach/tradition/lack of NIL/others. Unless you believe we will outspend other teams in the B1G (I'll believe it when I see it), doesn't that get us to the same place? Are you arguing "we'd be great in the ACC!".
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Our boat has been fully sunk for years. We will see blue sky with enough money- regardless of what other Big Ten teams do.

Again, there are WAY more than enough players to stuff every team in the Big Ten and a lot of other major college teams. The Big Ten money will allow us to drag in players that might have played in other big conferences.
 

WindyCityGopher said:
It’s time to acknowledge we have an athletic department and administration with a Dollar Store approach. It’s a shitty proposition where everything’s cheap and nothing has any importance. It’s been that exact way during my nearly 40 years of being a fan of Gopher sports.
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I bought some very edible off-brand spam at the dollar store once.
 

Been saying this for a month. Hes getting year 5.

All the morons (looking at you NYC, MNVC, Johnneyboy) peacocking over a meaningless W in LA should e happy.
 

Beerculees said:
I think only Coyle knows if Ben will get another year. By all metrics he does not deserve another one. I do think the local media banging the Ben drum is something he is stirring up with them or they are doing for clicks.

75% confidence that Ben is fired within the next week. Whalen is more of a legend. Had a better record. Had better recruits and we still made a move. Coyle will do the right thing.

Ben: 56-70 (.444), 22-57 (.278)
Lindsay: 71-76 (.483), 32-58 (.356)
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Exactly, Coyle said they “ mutually agreed” Whalen was leaving . Given his record I don’t know how he gives Ben another year. Please do the right thing for the program.
 



MNVCGUY said:
The only thing we know for sure is that whoever the coach is, he is going to have to kill it in the transfer portal to do well next year because there is very little coming back from the current squad as all of the starters and nearly all of the production from this year is graduating.
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The vast majority of coaches have to kill it in the transfer portal every year to be even moderately successful.
 


A thought just occurred to me: UMN has a huge integrity problem. In the Psych department it was untrained, unqualified receptionists prescribing trial medications and in MBB its been two unqualified, on-the-job training required Head Coaches. Make of that what you will.
 

I don't get it. We are basically returning nothing other than Asuma next year. This is the perfect time to fire a coach and there's not a more fire-able coached based on performance than Ben Johnson.

Giving Ben another year just sets the program back another year. It would take a miracle for Ben to cobble together a roster next year that could make the tournament. Who wants to join a program where the coach is basically guaranteed to get fired next offseason. People aren't dumb. They'll see the writing on the wall.

You have to fire him the morning after the BTT loss.
 

Beerculees said:
I think only Coyle knows if Ben will get another year. By all metrics he does not deserve another one. I do think the local media banging the Ben drum is something he is stirring up with them or they are doing for clicks.

75% confidence that Ben is fired within the next week. Whalen is more of a legend. Had a better record. Had better recruits and we still made a move. Coyle will do the right thing.

Ben: 56-70 (.444), 22-57 (.278)
Lindsay: 71-76 (.483), 32-58 (.356)
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But Whalen wasn't fired, right? I thought Coyle said it was a mutual decision.
 

Ewert86PC said:
A thought just occurred to me: UMN has a huge integrity problem. In the Psych department it was untrained, unqualified receptionists prescribing trial medications and in MBB its been two unqualified, on-the-job training required Head Coaches. Make of that what you will.
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Do you know what integrity is?

Hint: it’s not an old, old wooden ship.
 

Ewert86PC said:
It's gonna come down to season tickets.
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i've been on the fence for the last two years. I want to support the program and I like Ben as a guy, on the other hand, i get terrible customer service and little to no communication from the U ticket office. Didn't get an email this year about Big Ten tourney tickets, didn't get an email about State high school tickets, didn't get notified last year about my parking pass changing lots, they told me they would call about moving my seats closer, then when i called them back they said i was too late and they don't do that--- meanwhile the on court performance doesn't make me want to put up with that any longer.
the bad part is, I started with season tickets in Monson's last year and for alot of the years I didn't have as much time as I do now and didn't have as much money as I do now(or maybe less expenses-kids have grown)- but either way, after going through what i have gone through, it is hard to give them up now.

but the Tommie's games are more fun to watch, so I started going to them if there was a conflict-- less than half price of the Gophers too.
If Mark Coyle is reading, this- i will keep mine if I don't have to pay the $400 per seat "donation" anymore-- those days should be over
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
But Whalen wasn't fired, right? I thought Coyle said it was a mutual decision.
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Nope. She loves the U and didn’t talk about it for a long time. When she did she explained she was asked by Coyle to attend a press conference but that he had not discussed the reason for the conference until they were walking to the room. She chose to not attend or comment when he finally told her she was going to be offered a consulting position but would not be retained as the head coach.
 


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