Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson (born December 23, 1980)

Current position: Head men’s basketball coach
Current team: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Current conference: Big Ten Conference
Minnesota record: 42-54 (.438)
Overall record: 42-54 (.438)

Career Accomplishments:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

2021-present Minnesota
2018-2021 Xavier (asst)
2013-2018 Minnesota (asst)
2012-2013 Nebraska (asst)
2008-2012 Northern Iowa (asst)
2006-2008 Texas-Pan American (asst)
2005-2006 Dayton (grad. asst)

Ben Johnson Facts

  • Ben Johnson
  • Born December 23, 1980
  • Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Alma Mater: University of Minnesota (BS, 2005)
  • After winning two Minnesota state titles at DeLaSalle HS, Johnson played for head coaches Kevin O’Neill and Bill Carmody at Northwestern
    • Transferred back home to Minnesota after his sophomore year and was a two-time team captain for the Gophers and coach Dan Monson
  • Started his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Brian Gregory at Dayton, then spent two years as an assistant coach at Texas-Pan American (now UTRGV) under Tom Schuberth
  • Spent four years on Ben Jacobson‘s staff at Northern Iowa, during which the Panthers went to two NCAA Tournaments, one NIT and one CIT
  • Was an assistant under Tim Miles at Nebraska for one year before getting the opportunity to return to his alma mater, Minnesota
    • Was on Richard Pitino‘s staff for five years and was responsible for recruiting a number of vaunted in-state recruits to the Gophers
  • Left UM in 2018 and spent the next three seasons as an assistant at Xavier under Travis Steele
  • In March 2021, Johnson was hired to be the new head coach at Minnesota
    • Went 13-17 (4-16) in his first year and in June 2022 was given a contract extension through the 2026-27 season
    • After winning just 9 games in 2022-23, the 2023-24 squad went 20-15 (9-11 Big Ten) and earned a NIT bid

Ben Johnson Coaching Tree

  • coming soon