Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson after four seasons in an announcement posted to social media at 2:19 a.m. ET following the team's season-ending loss Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to Northwestern.

Minnesota fired men's basketball coach Ben Johnson on Thursday after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma mater without coming close to an NCAA tournament appearance as the program fell behind in the rugged and expanded Big Ten.

Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson on Thursday after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma mater without coming close to an NCAA Tournament appearance.It was a fleeting accomplishment for a program that has fallen behind in the rugged and expanded Big Ten.

Head coach Ben Johnson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers reacts ... [+] against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half in the Second Round

The University of Minnesota fired men's basketball coach Ben Johnson, athletic director Mark Coyle announced Thursday.

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.

At 1:22 a.m. Thursday, the Gophers athletics department announced it has parted ways with men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson. The decision came hours after Minnesota lost its first-round game in the Big Ten’s conference tournament in Indianapolis.

University of Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle announced early Thursday morning Ben Johnson has been fired after four seasons as head coach of the Gophers men's basketball team. The announcement just after 1:00 a.

Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson on Thursday after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma mater without coming close to an NCAA Tournament appearance.

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