Preps – Page 21 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Ben Johnson Losing Supporter in Departing U President

Posted on June 10, 2023June 10, 2023 by David Shama

Joan Gabel is in the final days this month of her presidency at the University of Minnesota before becoming Chancellor at Pittsburgh. Gabel’s departure is a reminder she played a decisive role in the hiring of men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson.

The Gophers parted ways with head coach Richard Pitino in mid-March of 2021, creating an opening to lead the program. Less than a week later came the surprise announcement that instead of hiring a proven Division I head coach the Gophers were turning to Johnson, a former U player and experienced assistant whose stops had included 2013-2018 at Minnesota and more recently three seasons at Xavier.

Athletic director Mark Coyle vetted Johnson, a Minneapolis native, and presented his credentials to Gabel. Without Gabel’s endorsement Johnson never would have been hired. “To have someone like Ben Johnson leading this program – an ambassador for our University who grew up here, went to school here and knows what the University is all about – is tremendous, for our basketball program and our institution,” Gabel said in a statement announcing the hire. “Like so many Minnesotans, I’m excited to welcome Ben home and look forward to our team’s success under his leadership.”

Success hasn’t been easy to come by in Johnson’s first two seasons. There have been occasional high-five moments, but the Gophers have made program history with first-ever consecutive last place finishes in the Big Ten.

Alex Hickey from Saturday Tradition is probably among the first to predict Minnesota is headed for a third straight bottom of the league finish. Forecasting the Big Ten race for next year he wrote the following this week: “Minnesota is married to the Big Ten cellar until further notice.”

Jeff Ettinger, the former Hormel executive, will serve as interim president for up to a year until the U finds a permanent hire. Whoever takes over won’t have a history with Johnson and be influenced by having hired him. It’s been clear for a while Johnson must make the next two seasons much improved over the previous two.

Worth Noting

Timberwolves starting point guard Mike Conley turns 36 in October, but Chris Finch has no reason to believe his playmaker won’t return for another season. The Wolves head coach said Conley is dedicated to his conditioning and training. Conley joined the Wolves during the season after a three-time trade and he was able to play 24 games for Minnesota averaging 14 points, five assists and providing much needed leadership on and off the court.

“He just does so many things that you can’t measure,” Finch said. “His leadership and presence is invaluable to what we’re trying to do here. His teammates and the organization in general respect him immensely, and that’s not something that we would want to just move away from easily.”

Gophers football legend Darrell Thompson left the Minneapolis area Friday for Atlanta where the 2023 Hot Rod Power Tour starts Monday. Thompson has a 1970 Camaro, a five-speed with 350 horsepower. Billed as the largest travelling car show around, the tour goes into multiple states before ending next Friday in Tennessee.

Wife Stephanie will pass on the adventure. “She will do a drive with me but to lock up in that car for 10 hours does not do anything for her,” said Thompson who is president of the Minneapolis-based Bolder Options nonprofit.

Thompson said son Race, who played basketball in the Big Ten for Indiana, will try out next week with the Timberwolves. Earlier workouts have been with the Nets and Wizards. Projecting as a combo forward, Race hopes to attract interest by an NBA team this summer and play his way onto a roster.

Jim Kaat, who pitched for the Twins from 1961-1973 and last year was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers next Friday. Kaat has been a superb baseball analyst on TV for years, including Twins broadcasts.

Jonathan Mekonnen, the Eastview class of 2024 basketball wing, is among the most sought-after preps in the state and has offers from St. Thomas, Colorado State, Drake, Illinois State and Northern Iowa, per head coach Danny Olsen. A visit next week to Loyola Chicago is likely to earn another offer, Olsen said.

Mekonnen is a skilled shooter, including three-pointers, but can also post up and could play small or big forward in college. He has rebounding and shot blocking abilities, too. “He’s very athletic above the rim,” said Olsen who recently became head coach at Eastview.

Prep Hoops ranks Mekonnen as the No. 5 prospect in the state of Minnesota for the class of 2024. Daniel Freitag, formerly of Bloomington Jefferson and now Southern California Academy, is No. 1 and followed by Isaac Asuma, Cherry; Jack Robison, Lakeville North; and Jackson McAndrew, Wayzata.

The Iron Sheik, the famous professional wrestler whose death at 81 years old was national news this week, was trained by Minneapolis wrestling icon Verne Gagne. It was Gagne’s wrestling camp that for many years developed a long list of performers who had successful careers in this market and elsewhere.

Former Gopher football player and pro wrestler Jim Brunzell recalled in an email being at Gagne’s camp with the Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri from Iran) and others. “The 1972 camp included Ric (Fliehr) Flair, Bob Bruggers, NFL linebacker and Gopher great from Danube, Minnesota, Ken Patera, Olympic weightlifter (first to clean and jerk over 500 pounds), Khosrow Ali Vaziri, national Iranian Greco-Roman wrestling champion, Greg Gagne, Wyoming QB and Verne’s son, and yours truly, Jimmy Brunzell from White Bear Lake and former Gopher wide receiver and high jumper.

“Bruggers’ career was cut short by a near fatal airplane crash. The rest of us had a pretty successful 20 year plus wrestling career, headlining cards around the world!

“It’s hard to believe that camp was 51 years ago. By the way, the camp was in Verne’s barn on Lake Riley (Eden Prairie). It was 4 months long, 6 days a week, 6 hours per day. The British heavyweight champ, Billy Robinson, trained us in submission holds, throws, and stressed wrestling balance for a successful and injury free career. As always, with about 30 minutes to go in our day, Verne would show up and physically manhandle one after another of us until we ran out of gas! Daily I used to ask myself, ‘What did I get myself into?’

“After a 28-year career, nearly 5,000 matches and 12 surgeries…I managed to survive a crazy career that prepares one for nothing. One thing I know for sure, the best tag (team) partner I had was and is my wife of 48 years, Mary.”

Former Vikings GM Rick Spielman on Twitter yesterday: “I wish I could put into words how special the Wilf family is. I lost all my Viking Game Balls during Hurricane Ian. To my surprise, I received a box today replacing all those game balls. I was truly blessed to work for the Wilf family and thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

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Gophers Baseball? Coach John Anderson Offers Perspective

Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 by David Shama

Baseball is the oldest sport played at the University of Minnesota, having started in 1876. The most revered era was in the 1950s and 1960s when the Golden Gophers won national championships in 1956, 1960 and 1964.

Dick Siebert, nicknamed the “Chief,” was the head coach of those glorious teams. Siebert took over the job in 1948 but didn’t have immediate success, with the Gophers compiling mediocre records until the mid-1950s.

John Anderson once asked the “Chief” what changed the program’s fortunes. “Paul Giel,” was the answer. Giel was an All-American pitcher who could frustrate collegiate batters from coast to coast, and later became a coveted prospect for the baseball New York Giants.

A hero for the ages, the Winona, Minnesota native was a football star as a single-wing tailback and finished second in the 1953 Heisman Trophy voting. Less than 20 years later Giel took over as the U athletic director, and in that role hired Anderson as head baseball coach in 1981.

Anderson, a native of northern Minnesota and former pitcher for the “Chief,” is still leading the program. He knows the Giel family well. Tom, Paul’s son, used to spend a lot of time helping out in the U equipment room. Now Tom’s son Oliver will be headed to Minnesota after graduating from Orono High School.

Oliver Giel is a promising pitcher and Anderson told Sports Headliners it’s “pretty special to me” having another Giel on campus. Then Anderson wanted to make a point.

“He’s not here because he’s a Giel. He’s here because he’s good enough. He’s one of the top pitchers in the state. I think it’s ironic how it’s come full circle (his connection with the Giels), and maybe that’s a good sign.”

Perhaps a promising omen for a program that has faltered on the field in recent years with no winning record since 2019. The last three seasons Minnesota has twice finished next to last in the 14-team Big Ten Conference standings and this spring placed 10^th.

Hard times hit in 2020 with the pandemic cancelling the Big Ten season and limiting the Gophers to 18 nonconference games. Conditions limited the number of games in 2021 and Anderson’s team couldn’t have fall practice that year—an important time for development at a program like Minnesota that has a roster of players typically not pursued by college baseball’s powerhouse schools. The situation particularly hurt Minnesota because the Gophers had a young roster.

Other programs benefitted from having older rosters. MLB reduced its draft in 2020 from 40 rounds to five, then the next year went to the now permanent 20 rounds. Plus, scores of minor league baseball franchises were contracted. Players who in the past might have left school, instead remained in college because of the more limited opportunities in the pros.

The NCAA also granted additional years of eligibility because of missed time during the pandemic. The result was a lot of older players, including 23 and 24 year olds.

The Gophers have been in a tailspin going 40 and 101 the last three years while failing to qualify for the postseason Big Ten Tournament. Anderson said he had the youngest team in the Big Ten this past season with an average age of 19.5. Some league rivals averaged 23.5. Rutgers, the U coach said, had a sixth-year player with over 850 career at bats in Division I baseball. Minnesota’s most experienced player, Brett Bateman, had about 600 fewer trips to the plate.

“I do think we have a team that can play in the Big Ten Tournament, be competitive in the league next year,” Anderson said. “There’s a number of teams in our league that are really old that are going to lose their players, so we’ll see what they do to revamp their rosters and how that comes together.”

There are more talented and mature college baseball players than ever before, and that’s not all that’s new in college baseball. The transfer portal allows players to leave on a whim and have almost immediate eligibility at another program. The more coveted may move on because of money, with players seeking compensation for Name, Image and Likeness.

Anderson said there are programs that illegally entice players with the promise of NIL to build super teams. (NIL compensation isn’t supposed to be used in recruiting, only after a player comes on board with a program). Then Anderson thought about his 2018 All-American pitcher Max Meyer and how if NIL had been around, it might have impacted the Woodbury native.

”…He probably would have walked into my office with 12 to 15 offers to leave here for a substantial amount of money and a chance to go play in a program that might be able to win the national championship—and I am not sure what we could have done to change his mind. Now whether Max would have done that (hard to say). He loved this program. He wanted to play here, but that’s just an example of what (could have) happened.”

The scene in college baseball and other collegiate sports has changed dramatically. That includes Big Ten baseball with the league expansion several years ago adding Maryland and Rutgers. Maryland and Rutgers probably have the most friendly spring weather among conference teams, and the two schools are located in large population areas where there is lots of baseball talent.

During the interview Anderson offered perspective on his challenges (including player injuries) of the last few years, while also expressing optimism about the future. “I think we can get this program back to a baseline where it can be a competitive program in the Big Ten,” he said.

The team improved this spring and won three of its last four games, finishing 18-34 overall and 10-14 in the Big Ten. Anderson enjoyed working with a group that got along, avoided blaming others and finger pointing. His returnees may include center fielder Bateman and pitcher George Klassen.

Both may leave after baseball’s draft this summer but if they return their contributions could be significant. Bateman made second team All-Big Ten after leading the Gophers with a .354 average and playing errorless in the field. Klassen had Tommy John surgery in 2020 and has been working his way back since then but he can throw over 100 miles per hour and he has the “quickest arm of anybody” Anderson has coached.

“I think we closed the gap some this year,” Anderson said in evaluating 2023. “We’ll continue to do that. Kids will play in the summer. We’ll have a fall and a winter (to) get ready for next year. So, we’ll be able to move some of these kids along. …”

The legacy of U baseball is rich under the “Chief” and Anderson who was voted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008. Anderson has won 11 regular season conference titles and 10 postseason league tournaments. He has been selected Big Ten Coach of the Year eight times and won the most games in conference history. His last Coach of the Year honor came in 2018, also the year Minnesota went 18-4 in league games and won the conference title.

That team advanced in the NCAA Tournament and made fans dream of a College Baseball World Series appearance. That didn’t happen with the Gophers losing out in a Super Regional in Corvallis, Oregon but before that their Cinderella run in the Minneapolis Regional had ignited local interest among media and fans.

For decades programs from warm weather climates have dominated college baseball. Only one Big Ten school (Michigan in 2019) has reached the final game of the College World Series since Ohio State in 1966.

Anderson believes Minnesota can win more Big Ten titles but it will be difficult to string them together like he did in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 regular seasons. “We gotta pay attention here. Keep it in perspective who we are and what we are capable of doing here, and managing those expectations. …Still think that’s doable (to win league championships), but it’s not going to happen every single year. …We’ve been blessed. We’ve had success and we’ll be back there. I am confident we will, and I look forward to being a part of that next year.”

The Gophers aren’t an elite Sun Belt program with a 13,000-seat capacity, $80 million stadium. Unlike an LSU that plucked Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson from the staff during the MLB season last year, the Gophers have much more limited financial and other resources.

When Anderson talks at length about his program, he speaks about more than baseball. His entire senior class this year will graduate with degrees. The academic progress rate for the last five years is a perfect 1000.

Anderson knows his role is that of a teacher devoted to guiding his players way beyond baseball, helping develop their academics, life skills and character with the intent that they can thrive as adults in a competitive and changing world.

“It’s not just about wins and losses,” Anderson said. “My philosophy has always been I am here to prepare people for the next 50 years of their lives. Kids have to understand there’s a 50 percent less chance to play professional baseball today because the draft got reduced by 20 rounds. You better be preparing people for life after baseball.”

Anderson has more than excelled at his job, setting a standard for accomplishment, class and integrity. Not surprisingly, he is the longest tenured coach at the U while working for nine athletic directors including interim hires.

Anderson turned 68 years old earlier this month. His contract goes through June of next year. He said his energy and commitment are still in place. “I am taking it a year at a time. When I am ready, I am ready.”

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’50-50′ QB Kirk Cousins Gets Extension Prior to Season?

Posted on May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by David Shama

Kirk Cousins is signed only through the coming season and the presumption is Vikings management will let things play out to decide about future interest in the 34-year-old quarterback. But a former pro football authority isn’t so sure and thinks it’s “50-50” an extension could be agreed to between now and the team’s first regular season game September 10 in Minneapolis.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened before the season since they didn’t draft anybody high and he’s still to me a top 10 to 12 quarterback in the league,” said the ex-NFL team executive who spoke to Sports Headliners on condition of anonymity.

The Vikings drafted Brigham Young QB Jaren Hall in the fifth-round last month. How he will develop is unknown, but odds are that even in a best-case scenario he won’t be ready to succeed Cousins in 2024.

Cousins earns $35 million this year before pending free agency in 2024. A one- or two-year extension is likely to pay him $40 to $45 million annually.

The source referenced here said the Vikings may be taking a wait-and-see approach on the veteran’s performance during the coming season. “But where are they going to find someone better than him?” he asked.

While Cousins likely will be with the team for a while, leading rusher Dalvin Cook’s exit appears soon. “I think they tried to trade him during the draft, and I think Miami was a target,” the source said.

Instead of a trade, the Dolphins drafted a running back on the third round and passed on the 27-year-old Cook who four times in his career has rushed for over 1,000 yards (most recently 1,177). “But the problem with Dalvin is that I don’t think anyone wants to trade for him and pay him $11 million bucks this year because the running back market is so depressed compared to other positions—which is really not fair—but that’s the way it is,” said the authority.

The Vikings appear convinced Cook’s contract is too much of a burden on their payroll and salary cap situation. To trade him for a future draft choice might require helping pay the other team for Cook’s compensation. The best window for a trade could be during training camp if another team is on the spot because of running back injuries.

Earlier this month the Vikings did agree to pay part of linebacker Za’Darius Smith’s compensation in a trade with the Browns. That helped with Minnesota’s salary cap space (reportedly now at over $13 million), as would moving on from Cook.

But the deal with the Browns that brought future draft picks to the Vikings left Minnesota with pass rushing concerns, a Smith specialty. Could Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah be looking at Ravens free agent linebacker Justin Houston?

Houston had 9.5 sacks last season and is known as a pass rushing specialist. “Yeah, he’s 34 years old but on a one year deal he could be a guy that could really…be a great signing,” said the authority quoted previously.

The former NFL executive has another defensive concern about the Vikings, and it was a suspect area last season, too. “I think the cornerback situation is still very questionable for the team.”

His first-round selection for the Vikings in the April draft would have been cornerback Deonte Banks from Maryland, rather than WR Jordan Addison of USC. The Giants, picking one spot behind the Vikings, took Banks at No. 24.

Minnesota chose USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon in the third round but how much of a contribution can he make as a rookie? The core of the Vikings’ cornerback roster consists of second year players Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans, and five year talented vet Byron Murphy who signed on as a free agent in March.

“So, they’re counting on these three guys that were all hurt last year. Booth was hurt all through college, too,” the source said. “…They really have to get fortunate with those guys staying healthy and coming on this year or they’re going to be in trouble in the secondary again.”

Worth Noting

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, writing yesterday about the job security of MLB managers, said Rocco Baldelli “appears secure.” He wrote that before last season the Twins manager received a contract extension of unknown length but at least through 2025.

Former Twins executive Terry Ryan is the latest guest on “Behind the Game” with hosts Bill Robertson and Patrick Klinger. Ryan talks about baseball’s rule changes and other topics on the TV show that can be viewed by clicking on this link https://youtu.be/Oyje7-3Yhng

Congratulations to coach Martin Hyndman and his rowers from the University of Minnesota who won the American Collegiate Rowing Association national championship last weekend in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Men’s rowing will gain attention later this year when the movie Boys in the Boat is released and tells the story of the University of Washington team that won gold in the 1936 Olympics held in Adolph Hitler’s Berlin, Germany.

USA Basketball recently announced the men’s 2023 USA 3×3 World Cup team that will participate in the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup May 30-June 4 in Vienna, Austria. The roster includes former Iowa Wolves player Canyon Barry, along with Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis.

Larry Higgins is asking if any Sports Headliners readers have film or video of the 1961 state championship basketball game when his Bemidji High team almost upset Duluth Central in a controversial finish. Central, trailing late in the game, won 51-50 and finished with a 27-0 record.

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