Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
All Things Considered
Tom Crann and Gretchen Brown

Gophers coach Ben Johnson is out at U of M

man with hand near mouth
Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson yells to his team as they play against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lincoln, Neb.
AP Photo | Rebecca S. Gratz 2024

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Gophers coach Ben Johnson is out. In a dramatic turn, University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle fired Johnson late Wednesday night after the team’s loss to Northwestern in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

The Gophers announced the change at 1:07 a.m. Thursday morning.

To sports writers like Andy Greder, who covers the Gophers basketball team for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Johnson’s ousting didn’t come as a complete surprise. The team did better than expected this year, but still finished 12th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten Conference.

Coyle told Greder today that Johnson’s inconsistency had become too much.

“They didn’t win at a high enough level to be considered in the mix for the NCAA tournament,” Greder said. “[Coyle] felt it was time to move on.”

Greder spoke with MPR News host Tom Crann about Johnson and what the Gophers might be looking for in a new coach.

Click play on the audio player above to listen to their full conversation.