Minnesota has hired Xavier assistant Ben Johnson as its new men’s basketball coach, the school announced Monday.
Johnson replaces Richard Pitino, who was fired last week after eight seasons with the Golden Gophers.
Johnson was born in Minneapolis and graduated in Minnesota in 2005. He played two seasons for the Golden Gophers, averaging about nine points per game, after spending two seasons at Northwestern.
He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach in Minnesota under Pitino, establishing himself as a high-level recruiter in the state. Johnson has brought in former ESPN 100 recruit and future pro Amir Coffey, among others.
“The University of Minnesota is such a special place and has had an immense impact on me on and off the court,” Johnson said in a statement. “I want to thank President Joan Gabel, [athletic director] Mark Coyle, [deputy AD] Julie Manning and everyone involved in the search process to believe in me and trust me to lead this historic program. I am ready to go to work. “
According to the school, Johnson will be given a five-year contract pending approval by the board of regents.
Johnson has been an assistant under Travis Steele at Xavier for the past three seasons. He has also spent time as an assistant coach in Nebraska and Northern Iowa.
Minnesota has had trouble keeping top players from leaving the state to attend college in recent years, and the Gophers hope Johnson’s relationships with high school and AAU coaches in the area can help keep those players at home. He met Coyle over the weekend and struck a deal on Monday.
“Ben is a proven coach ready to lead his own program,” Coyle said in the statement. “He has earned this opportunity and is a great teacher, recruiter and relationship builder. I am thrilled that he is leading his alma mater, and I look forward to the future of our men’s basketball program.”