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Men’s basketball | 03/22/2021 16:00:00
Sports Director of the University of Minnesota Mark Coyle announced today that Ben Johnson has been named the head coach of men’s basketball at the University of Minnesota. The University and Johnson have agreed to a five-year term, pending the completion of a background check and board approval.
Johnson, who graduated from Minnesota in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, returns to his alma mater after spending three seasons with Xavier as an assistant coach. Johnson previously served as an assistant coach at Minnesota from 2013-18 and was captain twice during his playing career for the Gophers.
“Ben is a proven coach who is ready to lead his own program,” Coyle said. “He deserved this opportunity and is a great teacher, recruiter and relationship builder. I am delighted that he is leading his alma mater and I am excited about the future of our men’s basketball program.”
“Track and field is such an attractive ‘front porch’ for much of the great work we do here at University. Few programs are more visible or closely watched than Gopher’s men’s basketball,” said the President of the University of Minnesota, Joan Gabel. “To have someone like Ben Johnson running this program – an ambassador for our university who grew up here, went to school here and knows what college is – is great, for our basketball program. -ball and our institution. Like so many Minnesota, I am delighted to welcome Ben home and look forward to seeing our team succeed under his leadership. ”
Johnson helped lead Xavier into the top 30 consecutive recruiting classes in 2019 and 2020 and the Musketeers posted a collective record of 51-37 in three seasons with him on the bench.
“The University of Minnesota is such a special place and has influenced me immeasurably on and off the field,” Johnson said. “I would like to thank President Joan Gabel, Mark Coyle, Julie manning and everyone involved in the research process to believe in and trust me to lead this historic program. I am ready to get to work. “
During his previous stint in Minnesota, Johnson helped recruit local figures and current members of the Los Angeles Clippers organization. Daniel Oturu and Amir Coffey at the Gophers. He also recruited current Gopher Gabe Kalscheur at Maroon and Gold. Johnson was instrumental in recruiting and developing Jordan murphy, who ended his career atop the Gopher record books in rebounds (1,307), free throws (460), attempted free throws (698) and second in score (1,802 points).
Before returning to Minnesota in 2013, he spent a season as an assistant coach under Tim Miles at the University of Nebraska. While working with the Huskers, Johnson was involved in all day-to-day basketball related duties while also acting as the recruiting coordinator. Johnson also led the development of the Nebraska backcourt.
Johnson spent 2008-12 as an assistant coach in northern Iowa. The Panthers went a 93-77 combined during that span, winning at least 20 games in four years. Northern Iowa reached postseason play in the four years and qualified for the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2009-10. That year, UNI won a school record of 30 games and toppled seeded Kansas in the second round. Four players have been named to the MVC All-Freshmen or All-Newcomer teams, including a pair in 2011-12.
Prior to his time in northern Iowa, Johnson served as an assistant coach for two seasons at the University of Texas-Pan American. He was heavily involved in recruiting, worked with Broncos perimeter actors and coordinated UTPA summer camps.
Johnson’s coaching career began at the University of Dayton, where he served as a graduate assistant during the 2005-06 season.
Johnson began his college playing career at Northwestern and played two seasons before returning to the Twin Cities to end his career. He finished with 533 points in 59 games in brown and gold and has scored a career total of 1,202 points between the two institutions of the Big Ten Conference.
The Minneapolis native has had an exceptional preparation career, leading DeLaSalle High School to two state championships. He was twice selected to the All-State First Team in Football and Basketball, and as a senior, was named Street & Smith All-American, as well as an Honorable Nike All-American. .
He was ranked 60th best basketball player in the country by Bob Gibbons in his senior season, totaling over 2,200 points during his high school career. Johnson was also on Tom Lemming’s High School Football All-American roster as the Top 20 national rookie and was a two-time All-States player on the grill.
Live
2021-present: head coach, Minnesota
2018-21: Assistant coach, Xavier
2013-18: Assistant Coach, University of Minnesota
2012-13: Assistant Coach, University of Nebraska
2008-12: Assistant coach, Northern Iowa
2006-08: Assistant coach, Texas-Pan American
2005-06: Graduate Assistant, University of Dayton
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