The university fired previous coach Ben Johnson following a disappointing 15-17 season that ended with a first-round exit in the Big Ten Tournament. Johnson, a Minneapolis native and former Gophers player, had two seasons left on his contract, requiring a $2.92 million buyout. His $1.95 million annual salary was the lowest in the conference.

MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is firing head coach Ben Johnson, according to a press release Thursday morning. In the release, U of M athletics director Mark Coyle shared the team was parting ways with Johnson after four years under his leadership.