At 1:19am, 3.13.25. - The Ben Johnson Era has ended and Ben is fired

[Johnnyboy18]

That's what johnnyboy said when we hired Ben: ) "Can't do much worse than 13th" was the motto at the time

We finished in sole possession of 13th in 2021. No tie was needed. But I hope we're not repeating this same conversation in 4-6 years.

 

[SomeGopherFan]

Sounds expensive. Should have given the money to our next PG.

I am wondering why Coyle couldn't have done this in person in Indianapolis.

 

[golfing18now]

I am simply amazed at the people who are critical of Coyle putting out the release at 1:30 last night. It's being called "brutal" as well as other things.

I've got absolutely no problem with it. In fact, I applaud it. Coyle took a flight and fired Ben in person, something he didn't have to do. He put out the press release and got in front of the rumors and speculation. Cut the cord and move on.

I don't have an issue with it either. Was it old news when everybody woke up five hours later?

Frankly he's much more rippable if he only makes himself available for 10 minutes at the press conference tomorrow as has been suggested in the other thread. Stand there and answer the questions that inevitably will be asked.

 

[cheeseheadgophfan]

I don't have an issue with it either. Was it old news when everybody woke up five hours later?

Frankly he's much more rippable if he only makes himself available for 10 minutes at the press conference tomorrow as has been suggested in the other thread. Stand there and answer the questions that inevitably will be asked.

I get it, but in reality what can he answer??? He can't rip on CBJ's performance...he can't comment on who he's contacted.....he can't say how much the U is willing to pay....he can't comment on NIL. So, is it better that he sits there and says "no comment"?

Not trying to be a dick, but if you were him, what questions could or would you answer?

 

[golfing18now]

I get it, but in reality what can he answer??? He can't rip on CBJ's performance...he can't comment on who he's contacted.....he can't say how much the U is willing to pay....he can't comment on NIL. So, is it better that he sits there and says "no comment"?

Not trying to be a dick, but if you were him, what questions could or would you answer?

You are right. He's not going to answer anything or tip his hand. I agree with you. But one of Mark Coyle's weaknesses is he's a PR nightmare. Putting artificial timelines (maybe I read too much into it) only adds to the perception he's not very accessible, almost aloof.

But this won't keep me up tonight in either case and it most certainly won't be must see TV tomorrow regardless of how many questions he answers.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

The people complaining about the timing of the release are just hanging on to any reason to argue that Ben got a bad deal. He didn't. He hit the lottery and it didn't work out. I don't dislike him for it, I actually like him much more today than I did yesterday now that he isn't the coach of my favorite team. But lets not pretend that very few people in the history of MN have been treated better than Ben.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

I am wondering why Coyle couldn't have done this in person in Indianapolis.

I’m guessing so Johnson didn’t have to travel back home with his team after losing his job. That would’ve been unnecessarily uncomfortable for all involved.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

I'm not sure if it was all rumor or if there was anything behind it.....but rumors on this board were that Payne got something like $500k from TAMU and Garcia got $400k from us. If those numbers are true.....then it's likely that Payne got significantly more by leaving......since he probably wasn't getting as much as Garcia. Guessing the same thing with Hawkins.

Again....these are all rumors as I don't think anything was confirmed. But it was often mentioned that the Gophers basketball team was pretty far behind when it came to NIL money. So it's not outlandish to come to the conclusion that guys left for bigger paychecks. I mean......multiple sources said that Garcia could have gotten more from other teams if he had wanted to go to a fourth school too.

Those numbers are pretty accurate.

My understanding is that we had Hawkins lined up with 250k, Tech swooped in last minute with 600k and he couldn't say no.

 

[stocker08]

Those numbers are pretty accurate.

My understanding is that we had Hawkins lined up with 250k, Tech swooped in last minute with 600k and he couldn't say no.

Can't even blame him.

As stated repeatedly.....even a great coach is going to struggle when teams can outbid you for your best players every year.

 

[dlnavra]

I'm not sure if it was all rumor or if there was anything behind it.....but rumors on this board were that Payne got something like $500k from TAMU and Garcia got $400k from us. If those numbers are true.....then it's likely that Payne got significantly more by leaving......since he probably wasn't getting as much as Garcia. Guessing the same thing with Hawkins.

Again....these are all rumors as I don't think anything was confirmed. But it was often mentioned that the Gophers basketball team was pretty far behind when it came to NIL money. So it's not outlandish to come to the conclusion that guys left for bigger paychecks. I mean......multiple sources said that Garcia could have gotten more from other teams if he had wanted to go to a fourth school too.

Makes sense. No doubt there are players out there who transferred for reportedly huge $$. The one that comes to mind for me is Grant Osobor. And utlimately it didn't translate to wins. Danny Sprinkle could turn things around starting next year with who he has lined up, but we'll see.

The Gophers NIL situation does need to improve no matter who Coyle hires. But I'm in the camp of many here, who feel the head coach has a definite role in the outcome around NIL.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I’m guessing so Johnson didn’t have to travel back home with his team after losing his job. That would’ve been unnecessarily uncomfortable for all involved.

Yep, do it privately in person so that Johnson can process it however he needs to.

Plus I think someone posted that Coyle was not allowed to be at the game in person due to his committee work or whatever so he wouldn't have been in the arena to do the firing there anyway.

 

[Ope3]

To put it in a different light, looking at the ties a different way (from the bottom)

2021-22: Tied for last
2022-23: Dead last
2023-24: Tied for 11th out of 14
2024-25: Tied for 16th out of 18

Could we do worse? Barely.

They Gophers actually tied for 12TH out of 18 in 2024-25. Only 2 teams finished below them, but that's the not same thing as being 16TH.

"Barely" worse is a relative term. Also the Big 10 is now structured differently than it was during Johnson's first 3 seasons in Minnesota.

Missing the Big 10 Tournament say in back to back seasons would be more than "barely" worse, in my opinion. I hope that does not happen, but certainly a feasible possible outcome for whomever the new coach is. Again, I am not saying it's wasn't the right time to let Johnson go.

I would suspect if any of the 3 current Big 10 teams that missed out on Indy this season (Nebraska, Penn St or Washington) fall short in 2026, they will be looking for new Head Coaches about this time next year.

 

[Holy Man]

I always wonder in situations like this if the fired person feels a significant sense of relief.
Can't believe the last four seasons have been much fun for Ben.

I guess yes. But maybe won’t admit it until the numbness wears off.

 

[Holy Man]

They Gophers actually tied for 12TH out of 18 in 2024-25. Only 2 teams finished below them, but that's the not same thing as being 16TH.

"Barely" worse is a relative term. Also the Big 10 is now structured differently than it was during Johnson's first 3 seasons in Minnesota.

Missing the Big 10 Tournament say in back to back seasons would be more than "barely" worse, in my opinion. I hope that does not happen, but certainly a feasible possible outcome for whomever the new coach is. Again, I am not saying it's wasn't the right time to let Johnson go.

I would suspect if any of the 3 current Big 10 teams that missed out on Indy this season (Nebraska, Penn St or Washington) fall short in 2026, they will be looking for new Head Coaches about this time next year.

I think Sprinkle gets a pass but the other two don’t. Their only saving grace is that PSU and Nebraska have basketball as a low priority.

 

[Ope3]

I think Sprinkle gets a pass but the other two don’t. Their only saving grace is that PSU and Nebraska have basketball as a low priority.

Possibly on Sprinkle, and I'm sure it could depend on if Washington at least rose out of 18th and were close to making the Top 15.

These days as D1 has moved closer to Pro Sports models at what feels like warp speeds, ADs seem more inclined to pull the rug out sooner rather than later.

 

[Gophers7633]

They Gophers actually tied for 12TH out of 18 in 2024-25. Only 2 teams finished below them, but that's the not same thing as being 16TH.

"Barely" worse is a relative term. Also the Big 10 is now structured differently than it was during Johnson's first 3 seasons in Minnesota.

Missing the Big 10 Tournament say in back to back seasons would be more than "barely" worse, in my opinion. I hope that does not happen, but certainly a feasible possible outcome for whomever the new coach is. Again, I am not saying it's wasn't the right time to let Johnson go.

I would suspect if any of the 3 current Big 10 teams that missed out on Indy this season (Nebraska, Penn St or Washington) fall short in 2026, they will be looking for new Head Coaches about this time next year.

We finished 17th though according to the NET. There's more to a season than just the B1G games.

 

[Mulligan]

I guess yes. But maybe won’t admit it until the numbness wears off.

It seems to be what happened with Lindsay Whalen. She'll never be best buddies with Coyle, but she's admitted that she went through a process.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

I’m guessing so Johnson didn’t have to travel back home with his team after losing his job. That would’ve been unnecessarily uncomfortable for all involved.

On top of that, if Ben isn't an employee would he even be able to fly back on the team plane? For liability reasons, it was probably best to keep him as an employee until he no longer needed a flight home.