BleedGopher
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Per Marcus:
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle realized how strong Ben Johnson's Minnesota ties were three years ago — while interviewing others for the job.
"It was amazing how many of the other candidates we talked to that said their first phone call would be to Ben Johnson to get him on the staff," Coyle said this week.
Coyle eventually hired a young first-time head coach who, by his own measure at the time, wasn't seriously considered to lead other programs. Everyone knew he was a "Minnesota dude," as Johnson called himself on his first day on the job in 2021.
Johnson is from Minneapolis, played for the Gophers and coached as a U assistant. Coyle asked him to do a better job recruiting Minnesota than his predecessors — and Johnson has delivered so far.
"Timing is everything," Coyle said. "The job opened up. He had an opportunity. And I think he's making the most of that opportunity."
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle realized how strong Ben Johnson's Minnesota ties were three years ago — while interviewing others for the job.
"It was amazing how many of the other candidates we talked to that said their first phone call would be to Ben Johnson to get him on the staff," Coyle said this week.
Coyle eventually hired a young first-time head coach who, by his own measure at the time, wasn't seriously considered to lead other programs. Everyone knew he was a "Minnesota dude," as Johnson called himself on his first day on the job in 2021.
Johnson is from Minneapolis, played for the Gophers and coached as a U assistant. Coyle asked him to do a better job recruiting Minnesota than his predecessors — and Johnson has delivered so far.
"Timing is everything," Coyle said. "The job opened up. He had an opportunity. And I think he's making the most of that opportunity."
Ben Johnson has Gophers men's basketball winning with local talent, just like Mark Coyle envisioned
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle hired Ben Johnson with no head coaching experience to recruit and win with Minnesota talent — it's starting to work.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!