Fire Ben Johnson

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howeda7 said:
That's why the plug should have been pulled as soon as the NCAA hopes were dead in December.
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you say this as a fan that thinks Coyle will do something stupid rather than evaluate the season in its entirety, the same way the selection committee would. it's nobody's fault but Ben's (and the team he assembled) that getting to 9-11 in the B10 won't put him on the bubble unless they have a BTT run. And unless he gets all the way there to where its an actual debate on if they have a chance at the NCAA tourney, I don't see Coyle bringing him back with how empty the barn has been and the apathy that surrounds the program.

If you think it instead is because Coyle is shitty at his job and won't fire him. Well Coyle didn't fire him after being shit for 3 years, and anything less than 9-11 is a regression. Think this is pretty straightforward unless Coyle wasn't going to fire him regardless of what he did this year
 

upnorthkid said:
you say this as a fan that thinks Coyle will do something stupid rather than evaluate the season in its entirety, the same way the selection committee would. it's nobody's fault but Ben's (and the team he assembled) that getting to 9-11 in the B10 won't put him on the bubble unless they have a BTT run. And unless he gets all the way there to where its an actual debate on if they have a chance at the NCAA tourney, I don't see Coyle bringing him back with how empty the barn has been and the apathy that surrounds the program.

If you think it instead is because Coyle is shitty at his job and won't fire him. Well Coyle didn't fire him after being shit for 3 years, and anything less than 9-11 is a regression. Think this is pretty straightforward unless Coyle wasn't going to fire him regardless of what he did this year
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Well said, have been banging this drum for a while. In season firings are not all that common in college athletics. So while I get that some will torture themselves with all the scenarios that could result in Johnson being kept around, we are still quite a ways from the point where those fans should legit start to worry that they are going to be stuck with Johnson for another season.

A couple of nice wins are not going to be enough to keep a coach around who hasn't been able to produce a winning conference record, clearly doesn't have the support of the fanbase, and is going to need to rebuild nearly the entire roster again this off season and that rebuild also includes having to replace almost all of the top players from the current team.

It would take a miraculous run to close the season to change the narrative. Without it I will be shocked if we are not in the market for a new coach in the off season.
 

Same effing morons lecturing us on why they shouldn't fire the coach who they simultaneously say "should" be fired.
Of course, they all make these claims with their fingers crossed behind their back because they all hope he wins 7 B1G games and therefore will "deserve" another year.

The only way forward for this program is a complete overhaul, starting with a new coach. And that process should start immediately. Should have started long ago.
 

USAF said:
Same effing morons lecturing us on why they shouldn't fire the coach who they simultaneously say "should" be fired.
Of course, they all make these claims with their fingers crossed behind their back because they all hope he wins 7 B1G games and therefore will "deserve" another year.

The only way forward for this program is a complete overhaul, starting with a new coach. And that process should start immediately. Should have started long ago.
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for what reason?

100% for Ben being fired based on the product. Just don't quite understand why doing it now is so important. Is it some catharsis for fans to see him gone now vs later? I'm not meaning this to be snide, just asking as if I was the AD, I don't think we're going to see any "excitement" come back to this program until either the current HC gets to the NCAAs again or you hire someone splashy/comes with some excitement. Not like there's someone splashy sitting there in the wings right now that we would announce as a hire as none of them are going to commit to MN over waiting to see what else opens up. And if you're saying it lets you start your search, you can certainly be doing that (and it would be malpractice from Coyle to not be) without firing Ben. Again if you're targeting active NCAA coaches, most of them are not committing to schools while they're currently coaching.

If you're worried about Ben coaching this team into the NCAAs, we fired Pitino after they won their first game in the NCAA tournament. No one who follows Gopher BB is going to think we would be wrong in firing Ben with a sub .500 record overall.

If you think it's mean to "string Ben along", I'd rather get the shot at going out and putting a full body of work in at my job to the last chance than get it cut short.

If you're meaning long ago, yeah he should've probably been fired after his first 2 years imo but there was the promise of the guys he brought in prior and so he got another year.

If I saw someone else on the coaching staff who I thought could maybe be our HC, maybe that's different. That doesn't exist with our current set of guys.
 

Ope3 said:
Pulling the plug in December would have been a complete eff-you to the roster assembled, the folks that had purchased tickets for the rest of the 2024-25 and those that had provided NIL money to this years team.

Being afraid the squad might actually win enough games to make it a more difficult decision to let the HC go would have been a cowardly way to lead.

For Football, Coyle let Claeys go after finishing 8-4 in the Regular Season, above .500 in the Big 10, and winning a Bowl Game for crying out loud. I trust he can make a decision for the Basketball Program once all the games have been played and all the factors have been considered.
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If the expectation was to make the NCAA Tournament, which it should be, then it was obvious that goal would not be reached in December.

The reason to do it is to get a jump on the coaching search and let the fan base know change is coming. The games will still be played, just with one of the assistants as interim. But yes, not having fans have to choose between winning two more games or potentially prolonging this failed era of basketball is also a positive outcome.
 


howeda7 said:
If the expectation was to make the NCAA Tournament, which it should be, then it was obvious that goal would not be reached in December.

The reason to do it is to get a jump on the coaching search and let the fan base know change is coming. The games will still be played, just with one of the assistants as interim. But yes, not having fans have to choose between winning two more games or potentially prolonging this failed era of basketball is also a positive outcome.
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There's zero reason to think that the search for the next coach hasn't already started or began prior to December 2024.

Perhaps the best candidate will emerge this March based on his current teams success.
 

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Ope3 said:
There's zero reason to think that the search for the next coach hasn't already started or began prior to December 2024.

Perhaps the best candidate will emerge this March based on his current teams success.
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this. if coyle isn't looking/exploring options at any point when his coaches are struggling/looking like they should be fired, coyle should be fired right along with johnson.
 

USAF said:
Same effing morons lecturing us on why they shouldn't fire the coach who they simultaneously say "should" be fired.
Of course, they all make these claims with their fingers crossed behind their back because they all hope he wins 7 B1G games and therefore will "deserve" another year.

The only way forward for this program is a complete overhaul, starting with a new coach. And that process should start immediately. Should have started long ago.
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https://gopherhole.com//threads/fire-ben-johnson.117086/

Done resting 🥸????????
 
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Ope3 said:
Pulling the plug in December would have been a complete eff-you to the roster assembled, the folks that had purchased tickets for the rest of the 2024-25 and those that had provided NIL money to this years team.

Being afraid the squad might actually win enough games to make it a more difficult decision to let the HC go would have been a cowardly way to lead.

For Football, Coyle let Claeys go after finishing 8-4 in the Regular Season, above .500 in the Big 10, and winning a Bowl Game for crying out loud. I trust he can make a decision for the Basketball Program once all the games have been played and all the factors have been considered.
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I sure hope Jerry doesn't chime in if Johnson is in fact let go, but he seems to have a problem with keeping his yap shut so only time will tell. ;)
 


howeda7 said:
It's officially time. What will be done eventually should be done immediately. The chances of making the NCAA's this year is officially zero. Let the remaining fans know you care and are paying attention. Give the players something to re-group around. And most importantly get a jump on the search for a new coach.
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Boo Hiss 🐍 🐍
 

With every win I think Johnson should be given another year. Talk me off the ledge.
 



upnorthkid said:
for what reason?

100% for Ben being fired based on the product. Just don't quite understand why doing it now is so important. Is it some catharsis for fans to see him gone now vs later? I'm not meaning this to be snide, just asking as if I was the AD, I don't think we're going to see any "excitement" come back to this program until either the current HC gets to the NCAAs again or you hire someone splashy/comes with some excitement. Not like there's someone splashy sitting there in the wings right now that we would announce as a hire as none of them are going to commit to MN over waiting to see what else opens up. And if you're saying it lets you start your search, you can certainly be doing that (and it would be malpractice from Coyle to not be) without firing Ben. Again if you're targeting active NCAA coaches, most of them are not committing to schools while they're currently coaching.

If you're worried about Ben coaching this team into the NCAAs, we fired Pitino after they won their first game in the NCAA tournament. No one who follows Gopher BB is going to think we would be wrong in firing Ben with a sub .500 record overall.

If you think it's mean to "string Ben along", I'd rather get the shot at going out and putting a full body of work in at my job to the last chance than get it cut short.

If you're meaning long ago, yeah he should've probably been fired after his first 2 years imo but there was the promise of the guys he brought in prior and so he got another year.

If I saw someone else on the coaching staff who I thought could maybe be our HC, maybe that's different. That doesn't exist with our current set of guys.
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I posted this early in the season, no way he gets fired during the season, because nobody on staff is anywhere near being HC material, even for part of the season.
 

Blizzard said:
With every win I think Johnson should be given another year. Talk me off the ledge.
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Nope. He'll be back. It will be a brand new team without its All Big Ten center. They won't play anyone in the non-con because the team has to have time to gel and get confidence. The barn will be empty by the time big ten play starts. And then we hope and pray and commiserate in this thread which will be 50 pages long.
 


I thought Ben was a terrible hire considering the state of the program and having zero head coaching experience. That being said, this West coast sweep and how hard his players play for him impresses me. We’ll see what he can do with some revenue sharing and hopefully some NIL. The recruiting class is surprisingly decent, let’s see what he can do with more tools in his chest. I believe he will be retained at this point
 
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MNVCGUY said:
I still think we are a ways from making it truly uncomfortable. Johnson has yet to prove he can build a team capable of getting over .500 in the conference and he has had multiple opportunities to rebuild the roster during his time here.

So knowing next year is another nearly complete rebuild of the roster I still think we would have to finish really strong and probably win a few in the BTT to really make the decision tough for Coyle in regards to Ben's future.

Solid chance our Big Ten record ends up being very similar to last year but I don't think that is enough to justify running it back again and letting Johnson rebuild the roster again.
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Agreed. We are looking at wins and losses, but Coyle is also looking at metrics like ticket sales, merch sales, viewership, etc. Ben might be approaching uncomfortable territory strictly in wins and losses, but I’ve got to think that the revenue numbers are still quite bad relative to where Coyle wants them to be. Unless we truly hit bubble territory, I think Ben is gone.
 

Silver lining...Ben's recent winning strike may make it easier for Coyle to find him a soft landing spot, similar to what Pitino got with New Mexico...maybe this will help in the decision process as it will chop some of the buyout money down with what the new school commits in Year 1 salary.
 

MilosRevenge said:
Nope. He'll be back. It will be a brand new team without its All Big Ten center. They won't play anyone in the non-con because the team has to have time to gel and get confidence. The barn will be empty by the time big ten play starts. And then we hope and pray and commiserate in this thread which will be 50 pages long.
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So for those that want him back is this what you want? More inexcusable non-conference losses and lousy play early in conference until they gel and still miss the NCAA tournament? I don’t see how that can get anyone excited or be something you want to continue.
 

CentralGopher said:
So for those that want him back is this what you want? More inexcusable non-conference losses and lousy play early in conference until they gel and still miss the NCAA tournament? I don’t see how that can get anyone excited or be something you want to continue.
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Mediocrity is fine with some people...pretty sad. He cannot take this team any further than this. Hes proved that
 

CentralGopher said:
So for those that want him back is this what you want? More inexcusable non-conference losses and lousy play early in conference until they gel and still miss the NCAA tournament? I don’t see how that can get anyone excited or be something you want to continue.
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I think Senor Coyle stated last off season about making the tourney being the mark.
 

Spaulding!No! said:
I think Senor Coyle stated last off season about making the tourney being the mark.
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Correct.
Individual wins are only of value if they ultimately lead to a NCAA tournament bid. Anything less is a hearty handshake and a thanks for trying, but we are going with a new head coach.
 


pondgopher said:
Earning a bid to the NCAA tourney had been the agreed-upon goal. CBJ knew it. The players knew it. Be at 9-9 two weeks from today, Wisconsin in town, and the Barn rocking. It's suddenly attainable.
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Man are Gopher fans gonna be sorely disappointed.
 

pondgopher said:
Earning a bid to the NCAA tourney had been the agreed-upon goal. CBJ knew it. The players knew it. Be at 9-9 two weeks from today, Wisconsin in town, and the Barn rocking. It's suddenly attainable.
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We're potentially exchanging one kind of drama (making the BTT field) for another (making the field of 68)! I'll take it. Life is too short to pass up fun and excitement, and let's be honest: unless some of you have influence in the athletic department, none of us have any control over what happens, so might as well enjoy what happens for what it's worth. This has not been un-enjoyable!
 


CentralGopher said:
So for those that want him back is this what you want? More inexcusable non-conference losses and lousy play early in conference until they gel and still miss the NCAA tournament? I don’t see how that can get anyone excited or be something you want to continue.
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The players who can potentially return next year scored something like 2 points combined last night. So...
 

pondgopher said:
Earning a bid to the NCAA tourney had been the agreed-upon goal. CBJ knew it. The players knew it. Be at 9-9 two weeks from today, Wisconsin in town, and the Barn rocking. It's suddenly attainable.
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While I agree that would make that game fun, their net ranking is still 89th and 17th out of 18 teams in the B1G. Even if they somehow win out it seems unlikely to get much above 70 and makes them pretty unlikely for an at large bid. It will probably take winning out and 2-3 BTT wins to have a realistic shot at an at-large bid.
 

howeda7 said:
While I agree that would make that game fun, their net ranking is still 89th and 17th out of 18 teams in the B1G. Even if they somehow win out it seems unlikely to get much above 70 and makes them pretty unlikely for an at large bid. It will probably take winning out and 2-3 BTT wins to have a realistic shot at an at-large bid.
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With the following left
vs PSU (quad 3)
vs NW (quad 2)
at Neb (quad 1)
vs WI (quad 1)
at Rutgers (quad 2)

would certainly be interesting. Have some nice road wins (IA, USC, UCLA) and a good clutch of quad 1s. Think 4-1 puts them in play but then would definitely need multiple BTT wins to get that win total to at least 20. curious to see what @SelectionSunday thinks given the win tracker has dropped off a bit (understandably so)
 

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