The first true coaching opening in the Big Ten came early on Thursday morning, as the Minnesota Golden Gophers announced in a press release that head coach Ben Johnson was relieved of his duties after another losing season.
Johnson and the Gophers had their postseason cut short, as Minnesota fell short in a 72-64 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Upon arriving back in Minnesota early Thursday morning, Johnson met with Athletic Director Mark Coyle, who informed the head coach he was being relieved.