GOPHERS HIRING BEN JOHNSON

[bga1]

Perhaps Coyle went on the cheap because no Minnesota boosters stepped in to assist with the buyout or salary necessary for an established coach. Let’s say boosters with hmm, oh, I don’t know... millions to spare?

You are not going to get boosters to go all in after you just got them on the practice facilities and then you follow that up by showing very little interest in winning big...instead the U tends to go all in on identity politics and political correctness. That's what I see in the alumni letters.

I am fine on the Johnson hire and will be a big Ben backer. That said, they never took a shot at Mussy- never contacted him in any way to find out if they could get him. If they had gotten serious about him, there would have been boosters that were in.

Let's hope that Ben wins big.

 

[MplsGopher]

Barbaro knows him well and he would have taken this job

Nope

 

[MplsGopher]

you just got them on the practice facilities and then you follow that up by showing very little interest in winning big

This argument is saying that in order to have gotten boosters to go in big enough to get Muss ... the school would've had to show big interest in winning, by paying for Muss itself.

Silly

never contacted him in any way to find out if they could get him.

You're making this up, and have no actual knowledge.

 

[bga1]

This argument is saying that in order to have gotten boosters to go in big enough to get Muss ... the school would've had to show big interest in winning, by paying for Muss itself.

Silly


You're making this up, and have no actual knowledge.

You are making this up- you have no actual knowledge of what I have actual knowledge of.

The argument- which is well beyond your intelligence level -is not as you state it. They never contacted him to find out if he was interested (he was). You tell boosters what your plan is and they decide to give. They don't give if you don't have the plan they like.

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

I wasn't happy with the BJ hire. But I've moved on. The important thing is Pitino is gone, and now we have a former Gopher as coach with a ton of backing. I'm excited.

Obviously, you guys can bicker about who we could have had or could not have. I am curious to see how much longer you can carry this on for.

 

[MplsGopher]

They never contacted him to find out if he was interested (he was).

Keep making this up on an anonymous message board with no proof. Neat

 

[bga1]

I wasn't happy with the BJ hire. But I've moved on. The important thing is Pitino is gone, and now we have a former Gopher as coach with a ton of backing. I'm excited.

Obviously, you guys can bicker about who we could have had or could not have. I am curious to see how much longer you can carry this on for.

I am all in on Johnson. I like him. Others were talking about why boosters didn't step up. I opined on that not on Johnson.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

So, was Writergoph with his inside info close on who the gophers hired?

 

[millions2spare]

The current state of the Gopher transfer portal is a clear indication what the current players think of this hire. Coyle and the Administration have embarrassed the State with this hire. This is the only State D1 basketball program and this is the best we have?

 

[Gopher Teeth]

The current state of the Gopher transfer portal is a clear indication what the current players think of this hire. Coyle and the Administration have embarrassed the State with this hire. This is the only State D1 basketball program and this is the best we have?

Apparently the only guys who are happy about Ben being named coach are the ones who could never play for him. It makes me wonder if Amir and Hurt really feel Ben's the real deal or if they were just tossing out some cheap words. It just seems odd that the players can't seem to run away fast enough.

Next we will see if the AAU does the same to Ben.

 

[howeda7]

Apparently the only guys who are happy about Ben being named coach are the ones who could never play for him. It makes me wonder if Amir and Hurt really feel Ben's the real deal or if they were just tossing out some cheap words. It just seems odd that the players can't seem to run away fast enough.

Next we will see if the AAU does the same to Ben.

Not sure about Amir and Hurt specifically, but it does seem like some of the public comments are fluff compared to what is said privately.

 

[Holy Man]

Not sure about Amir and Hurt specifically, but it does seem like some of the public comments are fluff compared to what is said privately.

What exactly is being said privately? I would agree this hasn’t been a good week but a few transfers in a once in a lifetime transfer market isn’t a reason to assume everyone is bailing on him. Public comments are almost all fluff. Right now Ben has no assistants, not much talent, and no history or system to sell. Tough situation.

I was thinking loading up on one year guys but that might not be possible with only playing time to offer and little chance to win. Need good news soon.

 

[bga1]

The current state of the Gopher transfer portal is a clear indication what the current players think of this hire. Coyle and the Administration have embarrassed the State with this hire. This is the only State D1 basketball program and this is the best we have?

I really don't think so. Mashburn wanted freedom to do his own thing and was strictly a Pitino recruit not a U of M pick. Freeman got little playing time, same with Mitchell and they were both recruited to a different system. Williams had been talking about transferring a year ago. Gabe is a big surprise but he is making it clear that he still may return. I don't think this is a commentary on Johnson- I think it is a sign that players see this as a ground up rebuild and they want to find a fit where they can win sooner. Johnson bought into a tough situation that will take time. Had this not been the first year of total free agency in college buckets, it would have been a lot easier. For the long run- if he nails the fall class- it could all work out fine.

 

[SanDiegoGopherFan]

Anyone know how season tickets sales have fared since the BJ hire? curious if there's been a spike, same or drop

 

[goldengophers]

The heavy lifting Ben is tasked with is incredible there is no doubt about that. Building nearly entire roster and an in-game philosophy is going to be a tall task. All in the B1G.

 

[stocker08]

So many lolz in this thread.

 

[goldengophers]

So many lolz in this thread.

Quite incredible, beyond all expectations.

 

[GopherVotary]

So many lolz in this thread.

Chock full of great basketball minds….

 

[bmb5270]

Can we please get some recipes on how best to prepare Crow. I usually fry it but sometimes it tastes a little gamey.

 

[GoldenUMNGopher]

Yes, cause everyone saw this coming

 

[UncleSam'sMisguidedChild]

OK. I'm a believer. There are many, many reasons why a team either wins or loses a game. So the win cannot be solely contributed to Coach J. However, he also deserves a nice share of the credit. Looking forward to the rest of the year all of the sudden, rather than just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Mulligan]

Yes, cause everyone saw this coming

No, I doubt anyone did. But there were a whole lot of people opining Gabel made the hire because Johnson is black. I remember one post in particular that the hire was all about "optics." No way Johnson could sell himself and his vision.

 

[stocker08]

Yes, cause everyone saw this coming

Or.....some people were willing to give Ben Johnson a shot. Some people jumped off a cliff because he had only been an assistant and wasn't who they wanted.

 

[mplarson7]

Somewhere in this thread I have a comment along the lines of "We passed up Craig Smith for Ben Johnson?"

Please, line up and shove as many crows down my throat as you can. I LOVE the taste of crow.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Can't even just enjoy the team winning and playing good basketball. Things have to devolve into this every time the team wins. Some people just can't help themselves.

What a great win, winning on the road in the B1G is never easy, especially not in Michigan!! It was a heckuva ride, hoping for many many more like this one!!

GO GOPHERS!!!

 

[PhiloVance]

Or.....some people were willing to give Ben Johnson a shot. Some people jumped off a cliff because he had only been an assistant and wasn't who they wanted.

Some people jump off to early others to late and others prove both wrong.

 

[stocker08]

At least in a few years when it's time to hire the next coach the AD won't be handcuffed and have to go with a minority one of us hire and can actually hire someone with the resume this job demands.

HAVE to go with a minority? Are you really pulling the affirmative action card here? I got an idea....GFY.

 

[stocker08]

Quick....check the first few pages of the thread....where posters are whining like total b-holes. Note how many of them are around these days.

 

[PMWinSTP]

OK. I'm a believer. There are many, many reasons why a team either wins or loses a game. So the win cannot be solely contributed to Coach J. However, he also deserves a nice share of the credit. Looking forward to the rest of the year all of the sudden, rather than just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

A nice share? One returning player. Ben and staff deserve more than a "nice share".

 

[Angry]

If we had Nico we’d be undefeated. Haha just kidding.