STrib: Former Gophers standout Damian Johnson rising quickly through coaching ranks

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I can see Johnson becoming the "Bob Hurley" of Minnesota hoops. As long as the pipeline feeds the U, bring it on.
 




Not a good year this year. Dame is a great guy and I hope someone smart hires him.

I went to the season finale vs Jefferson (even worse year) and in a blowout win Benilde brought in a manager to get some playing time, big kid, and the student section was going wild…you could tell he was well liked by everyone. He got the ball down low and I’m thinking “there is no way this ball isn’t going up” he missed the shot but got fouled. Missed the first shot, and I honestly can’t tell you if he’s right or left handed, it was like a chest pass. But he made the second one one and the place erupted, and he was jumping around like he just made the winning shot for the title.

My favorite moment of this HS season.
 








Unregistered User said:
Not a good year this year. Dame is a great guy and I hope someone smart hires him.

I went to the season finale vs Jefferson (even worse year) and in a blowout win Benilde brought in a manager to get some playing time, big kid, and the student section was going wild…you could tell he was well liked by everyone. He got the ball down low and I’m thinking “there is no way this ball isn’t going up” he missed the shot but got fouled. Missed the first shot, and I honestly can’t tell you if he’s right or left handed, it was like a chest pass. But he made the second one one and the place erupted, and he was jumping around like he just made the winning shot for the title.

My favorite moment of this HS season.
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I think the world of Damian as a coach. I've always felt the sky was the limit for him. I wonder what his next move will be. The question in my mind is whether he wants to stay at the high school level or if he has ambitions of coaching in college. He's a family man, and that factors heavily into this.
 

Bad Gopher said:
I think the world of Damian as a coach. I've always felt the sky was the limit for him. I wonder what his next move will be. The question in my mind is whether he wants to stay at the high school level or if he has ambitions of coaching in college. He's a family man, and that factors heavily into this.
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Yeah, I think he'll end up coaching in college. It would be great for Minnesota basketball if DJ was one of those guys around MPLS basketball for 20-30 years but the economics are tough.
 





Outsider said:
Even though I live in the city where the Jeep’s are built, I don’t own one and the duck thing is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen.
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Why is this a thing? I have been seeing it more and more lately.
 

Beerculees said:
Why is this a thing? I have been seeing it more and more late
Beerculees said:
Why is this a thing? I have been seeing it more and more.
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Info I could find quickly:

Jeep ducking is
a viral, friendly tradition where Jeep owners leave rubber ducks on other Jeeps to show appreciation, spark joy, and build community. Started in 2020 by Allison Parliament, the act involves leaving a duck—often with a kind note—on a door handle or hood, turning into a "duck pond" on the owner’s dashboard
 


It will be interesting to see what Thorson does at the end of the season as his daughter is now going to be playing college volleyball at St. Thomas. May have no effect but family matters.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
It will be interesting to see what Thorson does at the end of the season as his daughter is now going to be playing college volleyball at St. Thomas. May have no effect but family matters.
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??
 

Unregistered User said:
Not a good year this year. Dame is a great guy and I hope someone smart hires him.

I went to the season finale vs Jefferson (even worse year) and in a blowout win Benilde brought in a manager to get some playing time, big kid, and the student section was going wild…you could tell he was well liked by everyone. He got the ball down low and I’m thinking “there is no way this ball isn’t going up” he missed the shot but got fouled. Missed the first shot, and I honestly can’t tell you if he’s right or left handed, it was like a chest pass. But he made the second one one and the place erupted, and he was jumping around like he just made the winning shot for the title.

My favorite moment of this HS season.
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Good story!

Benilde also was without their best player this year due to injury. He couldn’t get over the hump to make it to the state tournament at Benilde, but was extremely successful in the regular season. I also think Mtka came and picked 2 or 3 players off his roster (including 2 starters) and won state with them…no different than their hockey program raiding Orono/Chaska/Mound Westonka/etc.
 





So will the AD have the backbone to stick up to parents with Damien when they complain about their kids' playing time? I read that's what happened to the last coach and the AD caved.
 




Holy Man said:
He will make a lot more money at Blake than Benilde. Interesting to see Blake make a visible commitment to basketball. Not sure they have ever been very good before.
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The fired Blake coach took them to the state tournament this past season. He was shocked he got fired as were the players and parents. Lobbied for his return on TV on Channel 11. Only way I know any info.
Obviously, someone pretty influential had other ideas...maybe this was the plan?
Here's the link to TV appearance Blake coach
 
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60's Guy said:
The fired Blake coach took them to the state tournament this past season. He was shocked he got fired as were the players and parents. Lobbied for his return on TV on Channel 5 or 9? Only way I know any info.
Obviously, someone pretty influential had other ideas...maybe this was the plan?
Here's the link to TV appearance Blake coach
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I don’t follow high school basketball at all. Shocking that someone that successful gets sent to the curb. The population of Blake would seem to be influential and high maintenance. I would not want to administer a place like that.
 

60's Guy said:
The fired Blake coach took them to the state tournament this past season. He was shocked he got fired as were the players and parents. Lobbied for his return on TV on Channel 5 or 9? Only way I know any info.
Obviously, someone pretty influential had other ideas...maybe this was the plan?
Here's the link to TV appearance Blake coach
Click to expand...

Only comment from 3 weeks ago says; "No comments here. Hmmm . . . Some famous name is replacing him. "
 

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