Minnesota's been there, done that on splash hires, so it looks like they're taking a different approach this time. Xavier has a pretty impressive track record of turning out head coaches, so that might have also been a factor.Might be a good hire but surprised they went after an asst coach and yes he has deep gopher ties
Coached at Nebraska one year....was on Miles first staffBen Johnson asst from Xavier. Any thoughts??
Ok with the Ben Johnson hire, strong ties to Minnesota high school and AAU. Formers players are very happy with the hire. Local AAU programs very happy with the hire. He is a class act, 16 years as an assistant. Complaint with Pitino, never connected to the local basketball scene. Minnesota is producing high quality basketball players that mostly are going elsewhere. The few that did go to Minnesota, Amir Coffey, Daniel Oturo among others went there because of Ben Johnson. no head coaching experience is a negative, but after Tubby and Pitino, willing to support the hire.
I was asked my thoughts on the hire so I gave it. Your right no Minnesota kids to Xavier, but in his three years there, Xavier had, I believe two recruiting classes rated in the 30's, not bad for a mid major. His strength as a coach right now is recruiting.So why did none of the Minnesota AAU kids go to Xavier then?
I knew you could give some insight on this. Thanks Sir.Ok with the Ben Johnson hire, strong ties to Minnesota high school and AAU. Formers players are very happy with the hire. Local AAU programs very happy with the hire. He is a class act, 16 years as an assistant. Complaint with Pitino, never connected to the local basketball scene. Minnesota is producing high quality basketball players that mostly are going elsewhere. The few that did go to Minnesota, Amir Coffey, Daniel Oturo among others went there because of Ben Johnson. no head coaching experience is a negative, but after Tubby and Pitino, willing to support the hire.
I don't believe given the social climate in the Twin Cities and on U of M's campus that the hire was going to be anything other than a black man. Good for Johnson. I hope he has lots of success other than when he plays Nebraska but I don't think he had the resume to get this job. At some point I guess you have to take some gambles on coaches and if you're going to do that it might as well be with a guy who you know that athletes can relate to. Tim Miles is not that guy. Sorry for being so honest if that offends anyone.Seems like a weak hire to me. Assistant coach with no head coaching experience, and Xavier hasn't even been that great lately...