This guy seems like a genuine man of integrity who really has a plan he wants to set in motion. He also has a LOT of basketball experience. He's also from De La Salle in Minneapolis, so he has a solid foundation.
Congratulations more than capable to lead gophers. He will be successful. You don’t need a Calipari to be a top program you need players. If you can keep some of the best players you will be competitive. Even top coaches fail without the right players.
The last time the U hired a recruiter first and a coach second it was a disaster. Here’s looking at you Tim “Keep that Chili Hot” Brewster. The talent in Minnesota right now is probably the best ever, so what happens if none of these top kids commit?? You know some of these powerhouse programs are going to bring it hard. I guess we’re going to find out what kind of recruiter Ben is and just how connected he is in these relationships because I’m sick of all the top talent leaving the state. Hopefully Ben surrounds himself with quality assistants. For anyone questioning Ben’s experience, how’s he supposed to get head coaching experience if he’s never named a head coach?? I wish him nothing but success. Now, no more interviews! Go hit the recruiting trail!!
Hope this guy is good...no head coaching experience worries me....he will have time to build a mediocre program.....if he gets a .350 winning percentage in the B1G and an NCAA invite once every 5 or 6 years....he'll probably have a job for life.
No coaching experience! Why not wait for Porter Moser, at least make the call after his run in tournament. Ok... Minnesota might have some good kids but, you recruit everywhere and w/o experience what good is the best kids. Seen Pitino get outcoached regularly and he now at New Mexico, good luck!
Have a problem with him having no coaching experience, mentored under the last coach Pitino, came from a program that finished under 500. How will he keep the current players that are in the transfer portal? How will he reach out to the best in-state recruits when he has no coaching record, and no chance of competing in the Big10? These HS players would be better off going to a college that can get them to the NBA....Minnesota will not do that in the future I see. I think this decision came down to two factors: Money and Race. I'm not faulting him for his race but his inexperience and the perpetual circle that his inexperience will cause. No really good players will want to come to Minnesota because he has done nothing and that will end up as losing season after season until he is fired. We needed a bigtime winner. Who has a name and influence to get those players. Ben Johnson? I didn't even remember him as a player or as an assistant to Pitino. Eric Musselman. Him I know and his Dad. Both Bigtime coaches and winners. This was a mistake to hire him except that he will work for whatever the minimum amount is for a Power Five coach makes. Probably not a great contract.
I guess Pitino was a great hire because he had previous HC experience and you knew his dad. Pitino couldn't keep anyone from the state--aside from coffey. Oh wait who recruited him? Ben. Oh wait who sent out public congrats to Ben and said the only reason he came to the I was because of him? Coffey. Love pitinos Big10 losing record, 2 NCAA appeaances in 8 years. 1 win. But I guess if you're white and you know his dad the man's OK
This comment will look hilarious in a couple of weeks. This dude has the respect of the entire minnesota high school basketball community. He will get several locals to transfer and commit.
@@mpls1982 who cares if he keeps every Minnesota kid....Think bigger....get the best players in the country...and the bigger question can he coach?...he will have to hire good recruiters because he needs to be a good coach.
This guy seems like a genuine man of integrity who really has a plan he wants to set in motion. He also has a LOT of basketball experience. He's also from De La Salle in Minneapolis, so he has a solid foundation.
Excited to have you on board! Let’s go!
After hearing him speak I believe he will be successful.
Congratulations more than capable to lead gophers. He will be successful. You don’t need a Calipari to be a top program you need players. If you can keep some of the best players you will be competitive. Even top coaches fail without the right players.
Welcome back, Coach Johnson. Ski-U-Mah! The right man at the right time!
The last time the U hired a recruiter first and a coach second it was a disaster. Here’s looking at you Tim “Keep that Chili Hot” Brewster. The talent in Minnesota right now is probably the best ever, so what happens if none of these top kids commit?? You know some of these powerhouse programs are going to bring it hard. I guess we’re going to find out what kind of recruiter Ben is and just how connected he is in these relationships because I’m sick of all the top talent leaving the state. Hopefully Ben surrounds himself with quality assistants. For anyone questioning Ben’s experience, how’s he supposed to get head coaching experience if he’s never named a head coach?? I wish him nothing but success. Now, no more interviews! Go hit the recruiting trail!!
Hope this guy is good...no head coaching experience worries me....he will have time to build a mediocre program.....if he gets a .350 winning percentage in the B1G and an NCAA invite once every 5 or 6 years....he'll probably have a job for life.
No coaching experience! Why not wait for Porter Moser, at least make the call after his run in tournament. Ok... Minnesota might have some good kids but, you recruit everywhere and w/o experience what good is the best kids. Seen Pitino get outcoached regularly and he now at New Mexico, good luck!
Have a problem with him having no coaching experience, mentored under the last coach Pitino, came from a program that finished under 500. How will he keep the current players that are in the transfer portal? How will he reach out to the best in-state recruits when he has no coaching record, and no chance of competing in the Big10? These HS players would be better off going to a college that can get them to the NBA....Minnesota will not do that in the future I see. I think this decision came down to two factors: Money and Race. I'm not faulting him for his race but his inexperience and the perpetual circle that his inexperience will cause. No really good players will want to come to Minnesota because he has done nothing and that will end up as losing season after season until he is fired. We needed a bigtime winner. Who has a name and influence to get those players. Ben Johnson? I didn't even remember him as a player or as an assistant to Pitino. Eric Musselman. Him I know and his Dad. Both Bigtime coaches and winners. This was a mistake to hire him except that he will work for whatever the minimum amount is for a Power Five coach makes. Probably not a great contract.
I guess Pitino was a great hire because he had previous HC experience and you knew his dad. Pitino couldn't keep anyone from the state--aside from coffey. Oh wait who recruited him? Ben. Oh wait who sent out public congrats to Ben and said the only reason he came to the I was because of him? Coffey. Love pitinos Big10 losing record, 2 NCAA appeaances in 8 years. 1 win. But I guess if you're white and you know his dad the man's OK
This comment will look hilarious in a couple of weeks. This dude has the respect of the entire minnesota high school basketball community. He will get several locals to transfer and commit.
@@mpls1982 who cares if he keeps every Minnesota kid....Think bigger....get the best players in the country...and the bigger question can he coach?...he will have to hire good recruiters because he needs to be a good coach.