Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Coach Ben Johnson’s Job Security Looks Like a Lock

Posted on March 3, 2024March 3, 2024 by David Shama

If there was any doubt about Ben Johnson returning as the University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach, it was erased yesterday with the team’s ninth Big Ten win of the season. The Gophers overcame a 23-point first half deficit to defeat Penn State, 75-70, at Williams Arena.

The victory left Minnesota with a 9-9 league record with two games remaining in the regular season. The Gophers are tied with Michigan State for fifth place in the Big Ten standings, and have an opportunity to finish 11-9 if they defeat Indiana at home Wednesday night and win at Northwestern next Saturday. The overall record is 18-11, with a 20-win season possible for the first time since 2019.

Pretty upbeat status for a team that was a popular pick before the season to finish last in the Big Ten. That outlook last fall only added to the gloom from at the bottom conference finishes the prior two years (6-33 record). Those were discouraging starts to Johnson’s head coaching career and caused loud grumbling about him heading into the season five months ago.

Johnson could currently be bought out of his contract for $6,519,340. Other media have reported a lower figure but the above is the correct number. A disastrous season this winter presumably would have caused athletic director Mark Coyle to think hard about staying with the Minneapolis native, former Gopher guard and the Big Ten’s youngest head coach at 43.

Many years of mediocre and sometimes bad basketball at the U has lowered expectations inside the school and decreased pressure from fans, many of whom have become disinterested in the program. Even a month of March that includes a 9-11 final regular season record, with perhaps no wins in the Big Ten Tournament and a postseason invite to the NIT will almost assuredly be enough to continue Coyle’s confidence in Johnson.

The elephant in the room for the Gophers is men’s basketball once was a huge money maker for the financially self-supporting athletic department. Ticket sales for years have generally been in free-fall and revenues aren’t close to their potential. A Big Ten contending team in this market could command among the higher ticket prices in college hoops and those revenues would shoulder a big load in a department where the only programs making money are football, men’s basketball and men’s hockey.

Johnson and his staff improved the roster during the last off-season. All the key players are potentially back for next year except senior forward Parker Fox. Potentially is the operative word in the wild world of college basketball where players change schools on a dime. And sometimes for a bigger dime because of Name, Image and Likeness money.

Contrary to some voices, Johnson has NIL money to work with, so the cupboard isn’t bare. Resources don’t match the blue blood programs but there has been success by the Dinkytown Athletes collective, and the potential is significant if the Gophers can take over the town like they did in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Johnson and his staff have coaching chops and can motivate players. Their Xs and Os can be interesting, and it’s been impressive to see how often Minnesota comes out of a timeout with a savvy play to score a bucket. The coach’s judgment on personnel has usually worked although it’s still annoying to recall how in November the ball was put in freshman guard Cam Christie’s inexperienced hands to make the winning play in a 70-68 home court key nonconference loss to Missouri.

And Fox, who had 11 points, six rebounds and four blocks on Senior Day against Penn State, probably should have received more playing time this season. His inside scoring, rebounding, shot blocking, unselfishness and energy merited more. Yesterday he not only started a game for the first time this season but played a rare 28 minutes and was on the floor at the end when Minnesota finished its gutsy comeback.

Johnson, a high character guy, made a classy move in the closing seconds by taking Fox out to receive recognition from the fans. Those same patrons want their hometown coach to be deserving of their applause in the future, and he will if he can add talent in future off-seasons like he did in the last one.

Worth Noting

The Gophers trailed by 12 points at halftime against Penn State. “The first 20 minutes was just flat, for whatever reason,” Johnson said at his news conference where he added the second half strategy was to tighten up on defense and “chip away” at the deficit.

If the Gophers can win their yet to be determined opening game in the Big Ten Tournament at Target Center next week, the town could get amped. In game two the Gophers would feel the adrenaline and maybe make a tournament run. Minnesota’s talent is similar or better than most of the Big Ten except Purdue and Illinois.

An overflow crowd of more than 300 heard from Paul Molitor, Glen Perkins and John Anderson at the recent Minnesota Breakfast Club gathering in Naples, Florida, per an email from event attendee Marshall Tanick. Molitor, the former Twin and Hall of Famer, is excited about the potential of 2023 first round draft choice and outfielder Walker Jenkins. Perkins, who played for Anderson with the Gophers before joining the Twins, lamented the pitch counts in MLB that limit innings by quality starters and strain bullpens.

Perkins praised Anderson as a “molder of men,” according to Tanick. He noted the coach’s emphasis on academics and graduating players. Anderson is in his final season as Gopher coach after taking over in 1982. The program has struggled of late but the Big Ten’s all-time winningest baseball coach told the gathering he sees improvement in 2024 with a “deeper and more talented pitching staff.”

Former Twins TV broadcasting icon Dick Bremer turned 68 last Friday.

Lou Nanne, the 82-year-old Mr. Minnesota Hockey icon who retires this month after 60 years of TV commentary at the boys’ state hockey tournament, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers at Interlachen Country Club Wednesday morning—the same day the Timberwolves Chris Finch, among candidates for NBA Coach of the Year, talks to the Capital Club at Mendakota Country Club.

Prep football coaching legend Ron Stolski emailed a note that registration for the annual MFCA Football Clinic April 4-6 in St. Louis Park is on a “record pace.”

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Vacation Leaves Your Correspondent in Good Spirits

Posted on March 1, 2024March 1, 2024 by David Shama

Loyal readers may have noticed much of February was without dispatches from this columnist. You may wonder, “How was your vacation?”

Well, since you asked, here are some musings:

Grateful our luggage didn’t end up in North Korea. With checked bags, you never know what to expect.

A couple years ago my wife mistakenly took someone else’s travel bag off the luggage carousel. While waiting in a long car rental line she received a call from a stranger who had her bag. Jeanne’s luggage and that of the stranger were identical including Viking Cruises tags.

In case you are curious, I can report the pickleball rage has reached Southwest Florida. I have long been a tennis advocate, but “the sport of a lifetime” is giving way to the “pickle.” The picklers are taking over tennis courts and even small empty stores from Florida to California.

The easy to learn, easy to play game isn’t appreciated by all. In San Francisco there have been complaints about the annoying “ping, ping, ping” from dawn to dusk. Hard plastic against hard paddles isn’t so soothing to noise-sensitive residents.

Not that downtrodden San Francisco doesn’t have more serious issues. Some wealthy Californians have had enough crime and dirty streets. They are in motion to elect city supervisors to restore the sanity.

Where is the “cavalry” for Minneapolis?

Word reached me that Anthony Edwards thought it was cute to shoot left-handed in the NBA All-Star game. Next year, why not bounce the basketball off his head? That would be most intriguing on three-point shots.

Time in the Florida sun boosted optimism for improving my golf game. I found “therapy” on the putting green near our rental condo (adjacent to the pickleball courts). It was there I refined my trademark approach of striking the golf ball with the toe of the putter.

Will I consistently two-putt next summer? Will the Vikings give Kirk Cousins a guaranteed three-year deal? Will Ant Edwards stop doing dumb stuff? Will the boys’ state high school hockey tournament be played in front of empty seats?

We enjoyed dinner at a popular Peruvian restaurant with another couple from back home. Mr. Minnesotan reminded me of a restaurant quip from baseball humorist and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra who reportedly once said of a dining establishment, “No, I don’t go to that restaurant anymore. Nobody goes there. It’s too crowded.”

We talked about shopping while at dinner. Mr. Minnesotan is still (“tongue in cheek”) upset about the Dollar Store raising prices from a buck to a $1.25. A few days later, I was pining for something like a Dollar Store when $750 shoes sent me scurrying out of Saks Fifth Avenue with no purchases in hand.

I had the other couple laughing with stories about my thrifty (but charitably generous) Uncle John. We lived together years ago and one day I trashed a winter cap that had seen better days. Awhile after that I was dispatched to the downtown bus station to pick up John and his cousin. Sauntering out of the station door was thrifty Uncle John wearing my old winter cap.

Perhaps you’re curious whether I keep up with emails while out of town for extended times. The answer is yes. I can report there was nothing found in my private email account more curious than repeated donation requests addressed to “Janet” from Biden-Harris.

Although the solicitors don’t seem to know my gender or correct name, I draw no harsh conclusions about their campaign. Heck, even our own Amy Klobuchar has it wrong.

Signing off for now. Your amused and humble correspondent, “Janet.”

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Vikings GM & Coach: What to Make of Their Job Security

Posted on February 6, 2024February 6, 2024 by David Shama

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are each two years into their four-year contracts. Will ownership extend those deals this offseason?

“No, I don’t think they will,” a former executive in the NFL told Sports Headliners while speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the first season of the new regime, 2022, the Vikings finished 13-4, won the NFC North Division title and advanced to the playoffs before being eliminated in their first game. With quarterback Kirk Cousins lost for the season after his Achilles injury in late October, Minnesota limped to the finish line with a 7-10 record and four game losing streak.

If 2023 had been more like 2022, contract extensions could have materialized but probably not now. “I would say there is a medium amount of pressure on them (the GM and head coach) to get back to the playoffs and get back on the track they were (on) the first year,” said the source who has years of experience working in pro front offices.

A really bad season in 2024 could land O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah “in big trouble” regarding job security, the source said. He added that the coach is probably safer because of the 13-win season and the many injuries that held back team performance in 2023.

The authority mentioned above said the “jury is out” on the GM’s acumen for drafting players and signing free agents.

The 2022 draft was particularly problematic for Adofo-Mensah who chose to give up his No. 12 selection in the first round in a trade with the Lions. Defensive backs Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth (first and second round picks) have not done much while the Vikings could have drafted safety Kyle Hamilton or cornerback Trent McDuffie, both of whom have become all-pros. Last season the secondary was underwhelming.

There have been successes like 2023 first-round selection Jordan Addison at wide receiver and undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. who also became a first-year starter. RB Ty Chandler, taken on the fifth round of the 2022 draft, was a winning move, too.

But in the last two years the Vikings haven’t acquired enough talent and depth, and part of the issue is the free agent report card. Signing linebacker Marcus Davenport turned “into a fiasco when they gave him $13 million bucks and he plays in three games,” said the source who pointed out Davenport missed part of the prior season with the Saints.

Cornerback Byron Murphy, who missed games in 2022 with the Cardinals because of a back issue, signed with the Vikings in the offseason last year but then was unable to take the field in the last three games of the season when the secondary was collapsing, and Minnesota was competing for a playoff spot. Defensive lineman Dean Lowry, another free agent signee, suffered a pectoral tear in late November and missed the rest of the season.

“I think when you’re signing free agents, you gotta sign guys who have been healthy,” the authority said.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was a successful performer last season as a newly signed free agent but overall, the source and Vikings fans have reservations about Adofo-Mensah’s work in adding talent through the draft and free agency. “They’ve had more misses than hits, let’s put it that way,” he said about the Minnesota organization he watches throughout the year.

To Adofo-Mensah’s credit, one of his better moves was the 2022 in-season trade with the Lions for tight end T.J. Hockenson. His presence gave Minnesota another quality receiver for their highly productive offense, a player who despite his size at 6-5, 248 pounds can be a deep threat.

There is conjecture about whether the Vikings will embrace a “competitive rebuild” to remain a playoff contender or use a start over philosophy of reducing payroll and letting key players go while concentrating on high draft choices and player development for a few years.

“No, I don’t see them wanting to tear it down,” said the source. “I think that they feel like they’re close enough (to the playoffs). That they did win the division in 2022 and then the injuries hit last year.”

The first indication of ownership’s intention will be the decision on whether to bring back their free agent starting quarterback Cousins. The authority is on board. “He was the third ranked quarterback in the league when he got hurt (late in game 8) and was playing really well. And they had won three straight games at that point. It’s obvious to me that if he hadn’t gotten hurt, they would have won at least two or three more games (and made the playoffs).”

The source has no doubt the Vikings can return to double-digit wins and the postseason. To do so means making moves in adding quality personnel and keeping their best players. He said using maneuvers like paying bonuses and deferring money in contracts the Vikings can work within the NFL salary cap to acquire key players and re-sign Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and linebacker Danielle Hunter.

All three players will be expensive starting with Cousins who figures to be the first domino to fall. “I think that’s going to come in around $45 million a year,” said the authority. “I think they’re going to have to probably give hm at least two years guaranteed at $90 million. And then maybe give a third year at just kind of window dressing on the contract.”

Jefferson, the source believes, could command a five-year contract at $175 million to replace his rookie year deal that ends after the 2025 season. Jefferson reportedly wants to be the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL and currently 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has that honor with a five-year $170 million deal.

“All these rumors about trading Jefferson are just ridiculous,” the authority said. “You don’t trade the best player in the league at his position.”

He believes Hunter could sign a three or four-year deal at $25 million per year. Linebacker D.J. Wonnum has played well and is also a free agent who the source could see receiving $10 to $13 million on a three-year contract. He added the Vikings have other free agents they likely will keep, mentioning defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, linebacker Jordan Hicks and kicker Greg Joseph.

“Yeah, I think they can keep all the guys they want and still have the capability of going out and signing a couple of free agents,” the source said. “I absolutely do.”

NFL free agency begins March 17. The Vikings have 28 players, including multiple starters like Cousins and Hunter, who will be free agents. The most likely of the starters not to return is probably Davenport.

Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah and his staff are also preparing for the April 25-27 NFL Draft. The Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in the first round and the authority believes they will select a quarterback in either the first or second rounds to groom behind Cousins.

Speculation is the top three available college quarterbacks taken will be Caleb Williams, Drake May and Jayden Daniels. The source believes the Vikings would have to make a trade and move up to the No. 4 or 5 spot to land one of them. “The quarterbacks, the top guys, are always gone early. You gotta figure they’re going to be gone certainly in the top five.”

He believes moving up higher in the draft order could demand giving another team Minnesota’s first pick in 2025 and second selection in 2024. “I just don’t know if they’re going to want to do that.”

If the Vikings stay at No. 11, they could choose a top pass rusher or cornerback and fill a need that way. Then target a best remaining quarterback in the second round, possibly seeing a J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix or Michael Penix available.

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