NCAA – Page 10 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

What to Know about Golden Gophers Men’s Basketball Job

Posted on March 8, 2025March 8, 2025 by David Shama

Next week Mark Coyle is likely to make news about the University of Minnesota basketball program. The athletic director could announce the dismissal of men’s head coach Ben Johnson, or make it clear the Minneapolis native will return for a fifth season leading his alma mater.

Either action will make headlines and depending upon your view of the program be polarizing.

A source with knowledge inside the Athletic Department indicated it’s not known which direction Coyle will proceed. Other valued sources aren’t predicting an outcome either, but if pressed believe Coyle will give Johnson another year.

Their view is that 2025 is already a tumultuous time for the department as power four schools anticipate revenue sharing for the first time with athletes. The U is expected to allocate at least $20 million this year to athletes in football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s hockey and volleyball.

The budget for the 22-sports at the U will be challenging for the self-supporting Athletic Department. To buy out the contracts of Johnson and staff likely totals in the range of $5 million. Then add a similar total for a new staff, plus a possible substantial contract buyout for the new coach’s old school, and it’s clear any change will be significantly more costly than status quo with the men’s basketball program. (Of course, immediate success by a new coach could change the budget with a jump in revenues).

Johnson has struggled to attract Name, Image and Likeness money for his players. If the U had north of $1 million in NIL money this past season, other power programs had totals dwarfing that figure.

With revenue sharing in line with what other Big Ten schools are expected to pay players, the pay-for-play gap narrows for the Gophers next season. Coyle may believe it’s fair to give the likeable Johnson another season because of revenue sharing.

It would be naïve, though, to believe Johnson isn’t under scrutiny by superiors. Deputy athletics director Julie Manning was seated at court side, for example, at the March 1, road game against Nebraska in Lincoln. Her roles at the U include supervising men’s basketball.

Coyle has been the school’s AD since 2016. He is known for his patience and support for coaches, but Johnson’s four-year resume is concerning. The Gophers have two last place regular season finishes during his leadership. They’ve never produced a winning conference record or qualified for the NCAA Tournament and have one appearance in the NIT. Sunday they play their final regular season game on the bubble of whether they will be one of the 15 teams in the 18-member conference who qualify for next week’s Big Ten Tournament.

Minnesota is 7-12 in league games this year, 15-15 overall. Donor support and Fan apathy is apparent.

Johnson’s on-court results have held back donor enthusiasm for NIL which could be even more difficult to generate going forward than in the past if he returns as head coach. Although he has generated sympathy from the media for not having enough NIL money, he is the program leader and someone who previous to the Minnesota job had no head coaching experience and brand recognition to impress donors and the general public.

Regarding attendance at games, the Gophers drew a home sellout crowd last Wednesday for the first time since 2020. Public season ticket totals have been declining for years. As recently as 2019-2020 season tickets totaled 6,820. Next fall that total could be under 4,000.

As a revenue generator men’s basketball is overwhelmingly underperforming. With ticket sales and other revenue streams, the program should be carrying much more of the financial load for the Athletic Department and Coyle knows that better than anyone.

The guess here is Coyle will make a change after making a deliberate and objective evaluation of the program. He could decide he needs more from a program that has good citizens, improved academics and complies with department and NCCA policy. A new start and renewed enthusiasm could certainly be on his mind.

It’s a red flag that the Gophers can be so much more successful in football than in basketball. Head coach P.J. Fleck has succeeded in a sport demanding five times the number of players, and he’s done it in a state where the quality of high school basketball is significantly better in talent than in football.

Basketball is a sport that can see a team’s fortunes change within a year or two, and sometimes overnight, with the right influx of players, coaching, timing—and let’s be honest—luck. After multiple failed hires this millennium, the prerequisite at Minnesota is to find the right fit to lead the program.

The assignment doesn’t necessarily have to command a marquee hire. A few miles from Dinkytown John Tauer, believed to be earning a salary less than $600,000 per season, has been turning heads for years as the St. Thomas head coach.

Tauer won a Division III national title in 2016. For four seasons he has led an ultra-successful transition into Division I with his mid-majors program in the Summit League. This season the Tommies are 12-4 in conference regular season games and 23-9 overall. Think Tauer, with a foundation built on former Minnesota prep players, could win at Minnesota?

Yup.

No one is predicting Tauer, whose roots are deep at St. Thomas, would take the Minnesota job if offered but if he did the expectation would be for him to run a savvy program like the Wisconsin Badgers have done for decades. Wisconsin turned around its basketball program in the 1990s with low profile coaching talent starting with Dick Bennett. Then Bo Ryan and Greg Gard overachieved this millennium with Final Fours, Big Ten titles and national rankings.

The Wisconsin way succeeds without blue-blood players The Badgers are no pipeline to the NBA. But they do have a pipeline to Minnesota preps, for decades featuring talent from the Gopher state. The current roster has five Minnesota natives and five Wisconsin natives.

The Badger program, built around fundamentals and unselfish attitude, is a case study in hard-ass defense, exploiting the weaknesses of opponents and minimizing mistakes including turnovers. At 13-6 in Big Ten games and 23-7 overall, the Badgers are again a force to be reckoned with.

Last Wednesday night’s game with the Gophers was a microcosm of what works for Wisconsin and doesn’t for Minnesota. The Gophers lost their ninth consecutive game in their border rivalry series.

They saw how the Badgers run out of bounds plays contributing to points in a tight game that was tied in the second half. They saw how the Badgers drained three-point shots and balanced that offense with drives to the baskets for scores. They saw how repeatedly Badger defenders offered no path to the basket. And they saw how the decades old Wisconsin winning philosophy includes fundamentals as straight forward as making most of their free throws.

It was another game where all the little things added up to the big thing: A 74-67 Wisconsin win. At places like Wisconsin, the sum is more valuable than the parts.

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Vikings Likely Know Answer on Key Sam Darnold Question

Posted on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by David Shama

Quarterback Sam Darnold resurrected his NFL career in his first season with the Vikings. The Sporting News and Professional Football Writers Association of America both named him league Comeback Player of the Year for his 2024 performance that included career highs in several passing categories.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record but wasn’t sharp in the two biggest games of the year. With the NFC No. 1 seed in the playoffs at stake, Darnold and the Vikings lost in their regular season finale to the Lions and then failed to win in Minnesota’s opening playoff game against the Rams. Darnold was a combined 43 of 81 passes in the two games and was sacked nine times by the Rams.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff convincingly showed the football world this fall their magic in creating elite quarterback play. The reality that Darnold struggled in his biggest games is mostly on him and his teammates, not the coaching staff.

What KOC and his helpers have likely decided by now is whether Darnold is a solid bet to be able to take the next potential step in his development—excelling in the biggest moments. Does he have the skills and mental makeup to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl or at least the NFC title game in the near future?

The Vikings almost certainly have a good handle on what the ceiling is for the 27-year-old Darnold, a guy who for six pro seasons was a journeyman with other clubs.

Along with that comes the conundrum of whether J.J. McCarthy, the rookie last year who never saw the field because of his knee injury, is the better bet to take the franchise to championships. A 10-year-old knows building a Super Bowl contending team begins with a quarterback who is among the best in the NFL.

They have invested emotionally in McCarthy, the No. 10 draft choice in the first round in 2024. After McCarthy was hurt in the preseason, O’Connell referred to him as the “young franchise quarterback.”

If that is still KOC’s conviction, then the smart move is to franchise or transition tag Darnold for perhaps $40 million and trade him. There are at least a half dozen NFL teams looking for quarterbacks and the 2025 college draft is weak in QB prospects.

A trade could return player assets to the Vikings and allow the franchise to spend the $40 million upgrading talent at other positions and retaining their own free agents. Roster needs include the interior offensive and defensive lines and cornerback.

It could be a benefit that McCarthy missed his first year. He had the opportunity to learn the system while rehabbing from two knee procedures. He figures to be much more comfortable in the offense in 2025, if healthy.

If the Vikings let Darnold go and gamble on McCarthy, fingers will be crossed in Skol Country that the 22-year-old is ready in every way. If not, KOC will be looking for another bridge quarterback and trying to work his “magic” on a Darnold 2.0—e.g. Daniel Jones if he elects to stay with the team as a free agent starting next month.

Worth Noting

Daniel House, the college and pro football authority, told Sports Headliners defensive tackle is a deep and quality position in the April college draft. That could be good news for the Vikings who need help. Follow House on X @DanielHouseMN and on his Gophers and Vikings websites. https://gophersguru.com/ http://www.mnvikingscorner.com/

Running back is another position with quality and depth in the draft. Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who was troublesome to the Gophers and others in the Big Ten, could certainly be available to the Vikings at No. 24 in the first round or after Day 1. The Vikings need an explosive runner as a successor to 30-year-old Aaron Jones.

Minnesota Breakfast attendees in Naples, Florida heard from first-year University of Minnesota president Rebecca Cunningham last Friday. Minneapolis-based attorney and journalist Marshall Tanick reported via email Dr. Cunningham “primarily focused on health sciences and technology challenges the University faces. But she touched upon Gopher athletics, telling the group of Minnesota expatriates and seasonal visitors that she and athletic Director Mark Coyle are ‘committed to having a competitive Big Ten program.’” She also praised the record 3.4 GPA compiled by U athletes last semester.

The expectation is that the drawn-out arbitration process to determine majority ownership of the Timberwolves and Lynx will conclude any day now. If the Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez group wins the litigation with long-time owner Glen Taylor, they still must get no less than 75 percent approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

Based on NBAstore.com data through the first half of the NBA season the Warriors’ Steph Curry had the top selling jersey, while the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards ranked No. 6.

The Timberwolves, trying to establish favorable seeding for the Western Conference playoffs later this year, are in the midst of a five-game homestand. They will also have a five-game home schedule March 1-8. Both slates will be significant in determining the team’s final record.

After last night’s loss to the Kings at Target Center the Wolves are 0-2 on the homestand that began Saturday night in a loss to the lowly Wizards. Coming up are games with the Bulls, Rockets and Trail Blazers.

The Wolves, 27-23, are only 12-12 in home games, while their road record is 15-11.

The Wild, 31-18-4 is 20-6-3 on the road and inexplicably 11-12-1 at Xcel Energy Center.

The Wild, who played nine road games in January, have their longest home schedule with seven games March 9-22. The month has Minnesota playing nine games at the Xcel, the most in any month this season.

If there is a men’s basketball head coaching vacancy at Minnesota or Iowa in the near future, it would be preposterous for hiring authorities to not have John Tauer on the short list of candidates who interest them. A Division III national champion at St. Thomas, Tauer has superbly guided the Tommies to Division I competition, and his 2025 team is in first place in the Summit League with an 8-1 record (18-6 overall).

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Net Rankings have Iowa No. 64, Minnesota No. 101 and St. Thomas No. 103.

With a deadline of February 27, the U Athletic Department is offering new purchasers of football season tickets two complimentary tickets to both a men’s and women’s Gopher home basketball game.

A concerning trend has developed with the U football staff. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca left for Rutgers after the 2022 season and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi departed for Michigan State following 2023. Rossi’s replacement, Corey Hetherman, recently left for Miami and this week comes news that defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere is headed to the NFL Cardinals.

All left for more money, including Ciarrocca who reportedly has received an extension that will pay him $2 million in 2027. Head coach P.J. Fleck attracts quality assistants but it’s difficult to retain them when the salary pool for his staff is at or near the bottom of the 18-member Big Ten Conference.

DeLattiboudere, who becomes the Arizona defensive line coach, played with Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, the Edina native, when the two were Gophers. Rallis was named defensive coordinator in 2023.

Perhaps the best clinic in the country for high school football coaches, the 2025 MFCA Clinic will be held March 27-29, with headquarters at the DoubleTree Park Place in St. Louis Park. Minnesota Football Coaches Association secretary-treasurer Jim Dotseth reported over 800 registrants so far. https://www.mnfootballcoaches.com/page/show/2279758-mfca-clinic-information

Almost 500 copies of The Book of Piv were sold on Amazon during a five-week period. The entertaining new book offers storytelling by Minneapolis native Jay Pivec, now retired but a well-traveled basketball coach who is in the NJCAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Lily Hubanks, a senior from Madison, Wisconsin, and Amae-Kam Magruder, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, are standouts for the St. Olaf women’s Nordic ski team. They recently represented the United States in the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Italy.

Hubanks and Magruder competed in five events as part of the four-member cross country teams for the U.S. It’s believed they are the first females from a Minnesota college to be on American teams in the Winter World University games.

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Glen Mason: Eslinger Induction Deserves Big-Time Turnout

Posted on February 2, 2025February 2, 2025 by David Shama

Glen Mason was “ecstatic” and thought it was “long overdue” when Greg Eslinger, the most decorated offensive lineman in Golden Gophers football history, was announced last month as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Mason, the former Minnesota head football coach, is adamant that a strong contingent of Gopher enthusiasts should turn out to support the best center he ever coached when Eslinger is inducted into the Hall of Fame December 9 in Las Vegas. The National Football Foundation sponsors the Hall of Fame which is located in Atlanta. Tickets are available at https://NFF2025.givesmart.com.

Mason would love to see a strong showing in Vegas by the Gopher Athletic Department, prominent boosters and other fans of U football. “This is a big deal,” he told Sports Headliners. “I hope they put a contingent of people together for the Hall of Fame banquet when he goes out there. …”

“Yes, we plan to have representation in Las Vegas,” Gopher athletic director Mark Coyle said in a text on Friday to Sports Headliners. (Understandably, those plans may be in the earliest stages.)

Mason, even though he didn’t have a player being inducted, used to regularly attend the induction event. He saw how successful programs made a splash at the banquet by doing even more than advertising in the printed program and buying tables.

“Typically, Ohio State or Notre Dame or Alabama or Oklahoma, when they had an inductee, they had a hospitality suite, and people used to bounce around from one suite to the other suites. That’s a big-time image.”

Regardless of whether a school has an inductee or not, Mason said it’s important to send a message to the NFF that you are a supporter, and establish relationships. Thinking about Eslinger, Mason said, a strong showing of support in Vegas next December emphatically says: “you can accomplish anything that you want if you come to the University of Minnesota.”

Major college programs weren’t pursuing Eslinger when he was playing high school football in Bismarck, North Dakota and he was definitely an under the radar prospect. But as a prep player he caught Mason’s eye when attending a Gopher summer camp in 2001. Mason had been the offensive line coach at Ohio State before a head coaching career at Kent State and Kansas before Minnesota.

“I decided we were going to recruit him because of his energy,” Mason said. “Everything he did. Everything was full speed—above board, likeable kid—and I thought, you know, we’ll take him.”

Eslinger didn’t have the weight and strength in high school that he would acquire with the Gophers. Mason had thoughts of making the prep lineman into a fullback eventually.

But prior to the 2002 season it became apparent that Eslinger, as a true freshman, was ready to be the team’s starting center. Playing at 6-3 and about 250-pounds, Eslinger became a remarkable four-year starter who was a key reason Mason’s teams made it to bowl games each season.

Eslinger (No. 61) photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

His resume is eye-popping. He blocked with precision for some of the best rushing teams in Gopher history and he was a two-time All-American in 2004 and 2005. He won the Outland Trophy given to college football’s best interior lineman and the Dave Rimington Trophy recognizing the game’s best center. He was the 2005 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (only Gopher ever honored) and was awarded with the 2006 Big Ten Medal of Honor (the conference’s oldest and most prestigious award). He was also a two-time Academic All-American.

Mason remembered when Bill Curry, an ESPN college football analyst, sat in his office during Eslinger’s sophomore season. The former Green Bay Packers center and college head coach marveled at Eslinger, describing him as “the best I’ve ever seen.”

Eslinger had an amazing combination of athleticism and smarts. A vivid image for fans is seeing him pull out from the line of scrimmage and move downfield knocking blockers out of the way and opening up paths for great running backs Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney.

“It was a lot more difficult than you think because you have to (first) snap the ball,” Mason said. “You have to pull, and you know our running game was pretty sophisticated. He’d have to adjust who he was going after depending who the wide receiver was going to block, and he had to do it full speed, which he did.

“ And I remember after he (Greg) left, Tony Brinkhaus was an awful good lineman but we moved him to center, and running the same stuff, and I remember him saying to me, ‘I can’t believe how he did this stuff. This stuff is unbelievable.’ “

To write only about Eslinger’s on-field excellence is not doing him justice. “Every once in a while, you’ll come across a guy that I call a tone setter,” Mason said. “In other words, he is a cut above everybody in every degree. And what you want to do when you come across a guy like that is—and Greg was one of those guys—you put him out front and you try to encourage and motivate everybody to keep up with him.

“And so very seldom do you have a guy that is able to achieve what he did athletically and at the same time academically. And then within the program, within the University, if you would ask anybody who is the finest character on the team, almost everybody would say Greg Eslinger.”

Eslinger’s candidacy for the Hall of Fame was the result of multiple entities or individuals advocating for him, including the athletic department and Minnesota chapter of the NFF. He will be the 20^th Gopher player to join the Hall of Fame.

Eslinger is now an orthopedic sales consultant for DePuy Orthopedics in Fargo. His character shines through with his activities in the community including as a motivational speaker to elementary and junior high school students, and organizer of shoe collections and donations for underprivileged.

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