Johnson, a Minneapolis native, is a Minnesota alum, having finished his playing career there after spending his first two seasons at Northwestern.

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.

MARCUS FULLER Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle invited all of his head coaches to attend Ben Johnson’s introductory news conference as men’s basketball coach four years ago at the Athletes Village.