MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — 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, which has become a fleeting accomplishment for a program that has fallen behind in the rugged and expanded Big Ten.

Minnesota fired Ben Johnson on Thursday morning after four years as the head coach at his alma mater. The Golden Gophers finished with a 15-17 record (7-13 Big Ten) after dropping a 72-64 setback to Northwestern on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

Minnesota men's basketball coach Ben Johnson was fired in the middle of the night after the Golden Gophers went 15-17 in his fourth season