Johnson, a Minneapolis native, is a Minnesota alum, having finished his playing career there after spending his first two seasons at Northwestern.

In the wee hours Thursday morning, Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson was let go by Athletics Director Mark Coyle.

The Gophers fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson early Thursday following his third losing Big Ten season in four years. The decision which will cost the University of Minnesota a $2.93 million buyout of his contract.