Minnesota fired Ben Johnson on Thursday morning after four years as the head coach at his alma mater. The Golden Gophers finished with a 15-17 record (7-13 Big Ten) after dropping a 72-64 setback to Northwestern on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson on Thursday after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma mater without coming close to an NCAA Tournament appearance, a fleeting accomplishment for a program that has fallen behind in the rugged and expanded Big Ten.

Johnson, 44, coached the Gophers for four years with one trip to the NIT and one winning season. This year, Minnesota finished 15-17 overall and 7-13 in Big Ten play but won five games on the road. Johnson was 56-71 in four seasons and 22-57 in league competition. He was 1-4 in the Big Ten tournament.

Ben Johnson was a Xavier Musketeers assistant for three seasons before Minnesota named him its head coach in March 2021.

Ben Johnson had served as Minnesota coach since 2021-22 but was unable to return the Gophers to the NCAA tournament.