VIDEO: What does Ben need to do to regain the trust of the fanbase? | BMTN



He can get in a Time Machine, get some HC experience, get hired 4 years ago as a guy with HC experience from winning programs. Other than that, nothing. Move on. Enjoy the millions you made while not building my favorite college basketball program.
 

Lock the fan base in a room with the local sports media who all seem to love Ben dearly. Sadly a conference room at the local Holiday Inn will probably be big enough.
 





Ben Johnson was hired because he was competent. He is still a competent coach. This streak more than proves the point.
He's not competent. You never hire some one who is competent and then find out they need on the job training. Being competent implies a higher level of training and/or experience. Ben had zero head coaching experience when he was hired.
 




I’ve personally driven new executives to the Wharton School of Business as part of onboarding—or at least, that’s what I might claim. But let’s get to the point: some people seem to believe that learning stops the moment you reach the top job or that mentorship ends when you hit the Big Ten Conference for coaches.

I’ll say this plainly: Ben Johnson is not only competent but also wise for embracing the role of a mentee. Coaching, at every level, is enriched by seminars, conventions, and mentorship programs—yes, even for professional coaches. Suggesting that Ben Johnson’s willingness to seek advice as a new head coach is a shortcoming? That’s absurd. Taking advice isn’t a weakness; it’s a sign of maturity.

Even presidents rely on the advice of their predecessors. It’s what makes life—and leadership—better. Strong organizations understand this and view seeking guidance as a mark of competency, not a flaw.

And with that, I conclude my once-a-decade contribution to executive management discussions on this board.

I'll sit the rest of the discussion on the bench and watch the virtual airballs wiz by for a while.
 

Lock the fan base in a room with the local sports media who all seem to love Ben dearly. Sadly a conference room at the local Holiday Inn will probably be big enough.
I saw something online the other day where Doogie was mentioning that his son and his friends got to play at the Barn for his son's "golden birthday" (I had to look up what that was, it's when you turn the age of your birthdate day... if others were unfamiliar ex born on the 14th your golden birthday is when you turn 14). He was saying that Ben was there and hung out with the kids. Nice thing for Ben to do, but an example of maybe why he gets the coverage he does.
 

I’ve personally driven new executives to the Wharton School of Business as part of onboarding—or at least, that’s what I might claim. But let’s get to the point: some people seem to believe that learning stops the moment you reach the top job or that mentorship ends when you hit the Big Ten Conference for coaches.

I’ll say this plainly: Ben Johnson is not only competent but also wise for embracing the role of a mentee. Coaching, at every level, is enriched by seminars, conventions, and mentorship programs—yes, even for professional coaches. Suggesting that Ben Johnson’s willingness to seek advice as a new head coach is a shortcoming? That’s absurd. Taking advice isn’t a weakness; it’s a sign of maturity.

Even presidents rely on the advice of their predecessors. It’s what makes life—and leadership—better. Strong organizations understand this and view seeking guidance as a mark of competency, not a flaw.

And with that, I conclude my once-a-decade contribution to executive management discussions on this board.

I'll sit the rest of the discussion on the bench and watch the virtual airballs wiz by for a while.
Yup, this is a bit.
 

I saw something online the other day where Doogie was mentioning that his son and his friends got to play at the Barn for his son's "golden birthday" (I had to look up what that was, it's when you turn the age of your birthdate day... if others were unfamiliar ex born on the 14th your golden birthday is when you turn 14). He was saying that Ben was there and hung out with the kids. Nice thing for Ben to do, but an example of maybe why he gets the coverage he does.
I am a critic of Ben Johnson but he is known as a really nice guy. He might be too nice to be a great coach.
 




I’ve personally driven new executives to the Wharton School of Business as part of onboarding—or at least, that’s what I might claim. But let’s get to the point: some people seem to believe that learning stops the moment you reach the top job or that mentorship ends when you hit the Big Ten Conference for coaches.

I’ll say this plainly: Ben Johnson is not only competent but also wise for embracing the role of a mentee. Coaching, at every level, is enriched by seminars, conventions, and mentorship programs—yes, even for professional coaches. Suggesting that Ben Johnson’s willingness to seek advice as a new head coach is a shortcoming? That’s absurd. Taking advice isn’t a weakness; it’s a sign of maturity.

Even presidents rely on the advice of their predecessors. It’s what makes life—and leadership—better. Strong organizations understand this and view seeking guidance as a mark of competency, not a flaw.

And with that, I conclude my once-a-decade contribution to executive management discussions on this board.

I'll sit the rest of the discussion on the bench and watch the virtual airballs wiz by for a while.
As a Gopher basketball fan, it feels like your last sentence is just threatening me with a good time!
 

I am a critic of Ben Johnson but he is known as a really nice guy. He might be too nice to be a great coach.
See Vikings coach. The assumption that competency requires a someone to be aggressive, dominating or any number of socially negative traits has never been proven to be true. I am doing a study on classical Greek writers. The Odessey has a young man who defies the normal aggressive Greek male figure rise to leadership by being nice. Telemachus is the first nice guy hero in all of Western literature. In the end, he kills several men with his father Odysseus. The important point is he became a leader while he was the nice guy. Killing was just an adjunct to his abilities.
 



I saw something online the other day where Doogie was mentioning that his son and his friends got to play at the Barn for his son's "golden birthday" (I had to look up what that was, it's when you turn the age of your birthdate day... if others were unfamiliar ex born on the 14th your golden birthday is when you turn 14). He was saying that Ben was there and hung out with the kids. Nice thing for Ben to do, but an example of maybe why he gets the coverage he does.
That's nice and all but shouldn't effect a sports journalist covering his team.
 




There's no doubt having the start we had this season after last season, any coach would be on the hot seat. The recent winning and better play has decreased the temperature a bit, but there is still PLENTY of work to be done. The 2 wins against ranked teams shows a growth from the coaching and players perspective. Ex: That passing sequence from Fox to Asuma to Dawson to Patterson for the 3 right at the shot clock? How likely are any of those passes being made earlier in the season? ZERO PERCENT LIKELY. The only defense for plays like that is a missed shot. Am I saying we're going to run the gauntlet? NO. but what I am saying is that I'm not the only one who feels ALOT better about our chances for sustained success. I would love for Parker and Dawson's last seasons to be memorable for more than just wearing the Minnesota uniform. GO GOPHERS!
 

St
Pretty simple....same as it was to start the season.....get to the NCAA Tournament.

The three game winning streak has been awesome. But a lot of work left to do in order to get off the hot seat.
Still doesn't get my trust. Thet would keep his job but not enough to get my trust
 


See Vikings coach. The assumption that competency requires a someone to be aggressive, dominating or any number of socially negative traits has never been proven to be true. I am doing a study on classical Greek writers. The Odessey has a young man who defies the normal aggressive Greek male figure rise to leadership by being nice. Telemachus is the first nice guy hero in all of Western literature. In the end, he kills several men with his father Odysseus. The important point is he became a leader while he was the nice guy. Killing was just an adjunct to his abilities.
Telemachus is well-mannered and humbled but I would never say he was too nice. He helped kill all of the men who were vying for Ithaca during Odysseus' absence. He was also extremely confident (thinking he had the gods on his side). Those are the reasons he was successful (but less successful than his a-hole father). Ben does not strike me as a similar character. I don't think Ben has unwavering confidence and I don't think Ben shares the traits that made Telemachus a competent leader.

Not all grumpy old men are Nick Saban. Not all nice guys are Kevin O'Connell.
 

Ben Johnson was hired because he was competent. He is still a competent coach. This streak more than proves the point.
Competent, but inexperienced. That and NIL have been are are a challenge. Hopefully the team can continue to play more like the last three games and continue to find ways to win.
 


Never mind the 18-50 conference record.

3 wins is all it should take for the fan base to get on board with Ben Johnson. 🙄
The same sycophants who have kissed Johnson's ass for 4 years now are just giddy over a 3 game win streak. They can strut like peacocks for a week.

Hey, he "deserves" this job, y'know.
 





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