Ben Johnson:
- I wanted to find guys I had a previous relationship and guys that I trusted. I know how they operate, and they do things the right way in terms of teaching the game. Also recruiting. But the type of person they're around on a daily basis is most important to me.
- Nothing is signed yet so can't get into specific on guys. Both and Brandon have been awesome. They've been awesome and would love to have them stay. Brandon figuring out what he wants to do, but they've both been awesome and we're excited about their future if they choose to stay on.
- Treyton Thompson is on board and he's been great. He's super excited to be here. His energy is infections and he bleeds it. Kenny, it's up in the air. He has things he's figuring out on his end but we'll continue to talk.
- On police shooting last night and if he's addressed with his team: We're going to meet today as a team and go more in-depth as a team. It's tough. It's something as a head coach that you worry about. Our guys are old enough to drive and are normal day-to-day citizens. It's always in your mind to make sure that you've done all you can as a staff to put them in the situation where everyone is prepared as possible for how to be safe in general. With police, as a citizen downtown. We're navigating that and we're going to pick their brains and have open talk and dialogue so we're all comfortable and transparent as a team.
- No one said "No" as an assistant. It's always challenging because you're looking to put together the best staff. I was able to target and hit on guys in the first round, and you don't see that all the time. Need to have guys with similar values as myself and that want to be here. Teachers, mentors, and are good on the floor. We were able to hit home runs. They love it, they're loyal, they have two feet in. I was lucky to get my top priority guys. The staff is going to be awesome.
- On Jason Kemp's player development: I've known him for a long time and the people he's worked under. Player development is everything. We want to be a developmental program. Individually and as a team. Jason is one of the best in the business. He has a high basketball IQ, and he can really teach the game and develop guys. He's a great teacher.
- Dave Thorson on staff: It's great to get him back. He's a big piece of what we're going to do here. It was a huge get for me personally. He knows the state and the state knows him. He's the face we all need here to help our brand. Connect the dots in the city and the state. I've known him over half my life and I have the utmost trust in him. Him and coach Kemp are unbelievable coaches and developers that can help move the needle for our program. I couldn't be more excited for that.
- Close on last assistant. Done a good job narrowing focus. Will be another person I have unbelievable trust in. We'll talk with out current staff and administration to make sure that we have guys that will move the needle and put us in the best position to grow the program. We want to provide our student athletes with the best staff we can.
- Things won't slow down until our break in the summer. Then we have recruiting, so it's to be expected. Everyone is dealing with it. No program is feeling like things are in a stable spot. Rosters are forever changing. Living on the portal for guys that fit the roster for position and skill. It's continuous. That's fine. You just need to grind it out, and that's what we're about as a program.
- Staff has done a good job of collaborating every day and finding positional needs and looking at who's available. So many names in there that you can just waste time if you don't have a game plan. We want guys that fit our style and culture on and off the court. There is a lot of opportunity where we can find pieces that move the needle.
Dave Thorson:
- There's no way you can predict something like this happen. I watched Ben as a 7th grader. Thank God his parents trusted me enough to send him to De. From coach, to friend. He's one of my closest friends now. He's the right leader for Minnesota right now. I believe so much in him and it's super exciting for me.
- Being around other good coaches. Great staff's at Drake and Colorado State, and another Gopher in Niko Medved. The biggest impact was that I was apart of a full rebuild. We walked into a tough situation and had back to back 20 win seasons. I think I have a good sense of what needs to be done. Look at the Minnesota basketball community, it's invigorating to talk about. I think I can bring something to help Ben's vision.
- It was a hard decision. I so believe in Ben and his vision. CSU is probably going to be a top-25 team next year. But Minnesota is home. Ben had me here last week before I made my decision. I have so many memories here. So having that, and being with Ben Johnson. Are you kidding me?
- One of Ben's greatest strength's is his poise and demeanor when adversity strikes. He's never rattled. He carried himself in a way that I knew he was special. I'm not sure why I said I would work for him 20 years ago, I didn't know the stars would align like this, but I have so much respect for him as a human being. How he deals with people, inspires. As a leader he doesn't pound his chest, he's a role model. All those things. He's such a basketball guy. He just has a great understanding for how the game needs to be played. The stars aligned with this. I'm so thrilled to be home and a part of his program and vision.
- Minnesota high school basketball: I'm biased because I was a coach. But I just think coaching in the state, people do it the right way. There are so many outstanding coaches. I've been all around the country recruiting and that was a reminder how outstanding MN prep basketball is. I think it starts there and can lead straight into the success of this program. I'm so excited about this. Ben understands that, he's lived it. He's the right guy at the right time. Man am I fired up to make this happen.
- I know what this place can be and we're going to make it happen.
- I can't talk specifically about kids, but I'm so fortunate that I've had a marvelous experience with high school coaches before. Being able to walk into a gym and people have a sense for who you are and what you stand for. What's even better is that it's the assistant coach that's played and lived here. I loved Colorado but I would walk into a gym there and no one knows who I am. From a recruiting sense, it just makes so much sense being here. I used to have to google places in Colorado. In Minnesota, I've been to all of them and that familiarity is something that really motivated me.
- We've been so caught up in recruiting and building the roster. I'll probably say it's safe to say I'll have some role in defense and game prep. I can't wait to watch film, that's what I do. What's great is that Ben targeted Jason and I, we've known each other for two decades. He's a top notch guy and I'm excited because there is an energy and vision that's just momentous.
- In my mind it's less to do with Dave Thorson and more to do with the men I've coached over the years that are selfless and willing to be all in. I'm so blessed that I've had so many of those young men coach. Far beyond basketball. People that have made a difference in their community. For me, everything leads back to relationships. Those guys who have played for me know how much I care for them as people. The educators that I've met made such a difference in my life, and that's what I wanted to be. Someone to help others reach their goals. Blessed to have guys that play their tails off. It will be no different here. Too often there is a transactional coach. I want to be a transformational coach. I know that Ben is that. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't believe in that.
- It starts with the basics. A program that starts with that relationships. Loving what you're doing, the players that you have. Then the appreciation of what you have locally and in the state. We have great basketball here. If you think about it, back in the 90's there weren't as many players at this level that we can recruit. I think there are more today, that list is longer. That helps us and makes me feel confident that we can do it the right way and do it relational. I think there are a lot of people in the state that want that, they want to sing the rouse. I'm confident we can make that happen.
- On roster building: Unique is an understatement. It's a new thing. At the same time, if we go back to the values and characteristics we talk about it doesn't take a long time to figure that out. It's clearly unique, and you'll have to make decisions. I think long-term recruiting is probably better, but you have to do your homework in the portal. I still talk to the custodian at these gyms to see who's sneaking in the gym and how well they're treating them.
- Still talk to Clem about once a year. He sent me a text, or his wife did, when I got the job. He changed my life. I will forever be grateful for that for him. I know he wants Minnesota basketball to be great.
Jason Kemp:
- On opportunities for black coaches and if they've improved: Social awareness is a hot button topic in our country. Coach Johnson has worked his way up the ranks and is more than qualified for this job. Him being able to have this opportunity should open doors for coaches like me.
- From the time I was an assistant coach in North Dakota, to Ohio working with guards and wings. I was tasked with coming in and working with Bigs at William & Mary. Fortunately, I was able to have a guy in Nathan Knight that entered his name in the draft and came back. He was as talented of a player as I've ever coached. Now he's in the rotation with the Hawks. It was good for me, I had great people around me and helped me work with bigs. We worked a lot on his versatility, shooting three's, being able to catch and attack the basket. I was blessed to have some really good guys, and that added versatility in my development as a coach.
- On grad transfers and developing them for one year: We have a chance through the portal to get older and get experience which would help in year one. Relationships are what matter in this business. Recruit talented kids you have a previous relationship with. If you see who's coming in, someone on staff has a personal relationship with that guy. We have to be able to connect since there will be a lot of new faces this year.
- On relationship with Ben: There's been mutual respect for a long time. I'm going to date us here, but we've known each other since I was at NDSU and he was at Texas Pan American. We had some good battles there. We had a rowdy group of 500 fans, a man with a Sombrero behind the bench yelling at coach Miles. Anyways, I've known him for a long time and we've always had a good time together. We talk recruiting, X's and O's, and have always stayed connected. I'm glad to be here with someone I trust and values what Gopher athletics is all about.
- I'm a Big Ten fan. Coming from Wisconsin I know about every team in this conference. There's been a ton of growth at Minnesota in the past few years. From having just the Barn, to now the facilities that we have are first class. It's always been a place that's about people, and there are great people. We have a chance to do this thing the right way. I see this as a major opportunity to do some really great things with this basketball program.
- It's a challenge. It looks like we will be able to have a normal summer this year. You can look at our roster as a concern, but we see it as an advantage. We're going to be able to instill our culture and values and there is nothing more important than that. We need to set those building blocks for how we want Gopher basketball to look right now.
- I call my recruiting style closing the fence. Learned it from Tim Miles and a couple others. It's all about relationships. Positive and healthy relationships with players, families, and key people. Making sure they know how much you care on and off the court. You can't be afraid to fight some battles. You can't look at an offer list and not want to bark up that tree. I want to build a relationship that's so good that they can't say no.
- I wanted to find guys I had a previous relationship and guys that I trusted. I know how they operate, and they do things the right way in terms of teaching the game. Also recruiting. But the type of person they're around on a daily basis is most important to me.
- Nothing is signed yet so can't get into specific on guys. Both and Brandon have been awesome. They've been awesome and would love to have them stay. Brandon figuring out what he wants to do, but they've both been awesome and we're excited about their future if they choose to stay on.
- Treyton Thompson is on board and he's been great. He's super excited to be here. His energy is infections and he bleeds it. Kenny, it's up in the air. He has things he's figuring out on his end but we'll continue to talk.
- On police shooting last night and if he's addressed with his team: We're going to meet today as a team and go more in-depth as a team. It's tough. It's something as a head coach that you worry about. Our guys are old enough to drive and are normal day-to-day citizens. It's always in your mind to make sure that you've done all you can as a staff to put them in the situation where everyone is prepared as possible for how to be safe in general. With police, as a citizen downtown. We're navigating that and we're going to pick their brains and have open talk and dialogue so we're all comfortable and transparent as a team.
- No one said "No" as an assistant. It's always challenging because you're looking to put together the best staff. I was able to target and hit on guys in the first round, and you don't see that all the time. Need to have guys with similar values as myself and that want to be here. Teachers, mentors, and are good on the floor. We were able to hit home runs. They love it, they're loyal, they have two feet in. I was lucky to get my top priority guys. The staff is going to be awesome.
- On Jason Kemp's player development: I've known him for a long time and the people he's worked under. Player development is everything. We want to be a developmental program. Individually and as a team. Jason is one of the best in the business. He has a high basketball IQ, and he can really teach the game and develop guys. He's a great teacher.
- Dave Thorson on staff: It's great to get him back. He's a big piece of what we're going to do here. It was a huge get for me personally. He knows the state and the state knows him. He's the face we all need here to help our brand. Connect the dots in the city and the state. I've known him over half my life and I have the utmost trust in him. Him and coach Kemp are unbelievable coaches and developers that can help move the needle for our program. I couldn't be more excited for that.
- Close on last assistant. Done a good job narrowing focus. Will be another person I have unbelievable trust in. We'll talk with out current staff and administration to make sure that we have guys that will move the needle and put us in the best position to grow the program. We want to provide our student athletes with the best staff we can.
- Things won't slow down until our break in the summer. Then we have recruiting, so it's to be expected. Everyone is dealing with it. No program is feeling like things are in a stable spot. Rosters are forever changing. Living on the portal for guys that fit the roster for position and skill. It's continuous. That's fine. You just need to grind it out, and that's what we're about as a program.
- Staff has done a good job of collaborating every day and finding positional needs and looking at who's available. So many names in there that you can just waste time if you don't have a game plan. We want guys that fit our style and culture on and off the court. There is a lot of opportunity where we can find pieces that move the needle.
Dave Thorson:
- There's no way you can predict something like this happen. I watched Ben as a 7th grader. Thank God his parents trusted me enough to send him to De. From coach, to friend. He's one of my closest friends now. He's the right leader for Minnesota right now. I believe so much in him and it's super exciting for me.
- Being around other good coaches. Great staff's at Drake and Colorado State, and another Gopher in Niko Medved. The biggest impact was that I was apart of a full rebuild. We walked into a tough situation and had back to back 20 win seasons. I think I have a good sense of what needs to be done. Look at the Minnesota basketball community, it's invigorating to talk about. I think I can bring something to help Ben's vision.
- It was a hard decision. I so believe in Ben and his vision. CSU is probably going to be a top-25 team next year. But Minnesota is home. Ben had me here last week before I made my decision. I have so many memories here. So having that, and being with Ben Johnson. Are you kidding me?
- One of Ben's greatest strength's is his poise and demeanor when adversity strikes. He's never rattled. He carried himself in a way that I knew he was special. I'm not sure why I said I would work for him 20 years ago, I didn't know the stars would align like this, but I have so much respect for him as a human being. How he deals with people, inspires. As a leader he doesn't pound his chest, he's a role model. All those things. He's such a basketball guy. He just has a great understanding for how the game needs to be played. The stars aligned with this. I'm so thrilled to be home and a part of his program and vision.
- Minnesota high school basketball: I'm biased because I was a coach. But I just think coaching in the state, people do it the right way. There are so many outstanding coaches. I've been all around the country recruiting and that was a reminder how outstanding MN prep basketball is. I think it starts there and can lead straight into the success of this program. I'm so excited about this. Ben understands that, he's lived it. He's the right guy at the right time. Man am I fired up to make this happen.
- I know what this place can be and we're going to make it happen.
- I can't talk specifically about kids, but I'm so fortunate that I've had a marvelous experience with high school coaches before. Being able to walk into a gym and people have a sense for who you are and what you stand for. What's even better is that it's the assistant coach that's played and lived here. I loved Colorado but I would walk into a gym there and no one knows who I am. From a recruiting sense, it just makes so much sense being here. I used to have to google places in Colorado. In Minnesota, I've been to all of them and that familiarity is something that really motivated me.
- We've been so caught up in recruiting and building the roster. I'll probably say it's safe to say I'll have some role in defense and game prep. I can't wait to watch film, that's what I do. What's great is that Ben targeted Jason and I, we've known each other for two decades. He's a top notch guy and I'm excited because there is an energy and vision that's just momentous.
- In my mind it's less to do with Dave Thorson and more to do with the men I've coached over the years that are selfless and willing to be all in. I'm so blessed that I've had so many of those young men coach. Far beyond basketball. People that have made a difference in their community. For me, everything leads back to relationships. Those guys who have played for me know how much I care for them as people. The educators that I've met made such a difference in my life, and that's what I wanted to be. Someone to help others reach their goals. Blessed to have guys that play their tails off. It will be no different here. Too often there is a transactional coach. I want to be a transformational coach. I know that Ben is that. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't believe in that.
- It starts with the basics. A program that starts with that relationships. Loving what you're doing, the players that you have. Then the appreciation of what you have locally and in the state. We have great basketball here. If you think about it, back in the 90's there weren't as many players at this level that we can recruit. I think there are more today, that list is longer. That helps us and makes me feel confident that we can do it the right way and do it relational. I think there are a lot of people in the state that want that, they want to sing the rouse. I'm confident we can make that happen.
- On roster building: Unique is an understatement. It's a new thing. At the same time, if we go back to the values and characteristics we talk about it doesn't take a long time to figure that out. It's clearly unique, and you'll have to make decisions. I think long-term recruiting is probably better, but you have to do your homework in the portal. I still talk to the custodian at these gyms to see who's sneaking in the gym and how well they're treating them.
- Still talk to Clem about once a year. He sent me a text, or his wife did, when I got the job. He changed my life. I will forever be grateful for that for him. I know he wants Minnesota basketball to be great.
Jason Kemp:
- On opportunities for black coaches and if they've improved: Social awareness is a hot button topic in our country. Coach Johnson has worked his way up the ranks and is more than qualified for this job. Him being able to have this opportunity should open doors for coaches like me.
- From the time I was an assistant coach in North Dakota, to Ohio working with guards and wings. I was tasked with coming in and working with Bigs at William & Mary. Fortunately, I was able to have a guy in Nathan Knight that entered his name in the draft and came back. He was as talented of a player as I've ever coached. Now he's in the rotation with the Hawks. It was good for me, I had great people around me and helped me work with bigs. We worked a lot on his versatility, shooting three's, being able to catch and attack the basket. I was blessed to have some really good guys, and that added versatility in my development as a coach.
- On grad transfers and developing them for one year: We have a chance through the portal to get older and get experience which would help in year one. Relationships are what matter in this business. Recruit talented kids you have a previous relationship with. If you see who's coming in, someone on staff has a personal relationship with that guy. We have to be able to connect since there will be a lot of new faces this year.
- On relationship with Ben: There's been mutual respect for a long time. I'm going to date us here, but we've known each other since I was at NDSU and he was at Texas Pan American. We had some good battles there. We had a rowdy group of 500 fans, a man with a Sombrero behind the bench yelling at coach Miles. Anyways, I've known him for a long time and we've always had a good time together. We talk recruiting, X's and O's, and have always stayed connected. I'm glad to be here with someone I trust and values what Gopher athletics is all about.
- I'm a Big Ten fan. Coming from Wisconsin I know about every team in this conference. There's been a ton of growth at Minnesota in the past few years. From having just the Barn, to now the facilities that we have are first class. It's always been a place that's about people, and there are great people. We have a chance to do this thing the right way. I see this as a major opportunity to do some really great things with this basketball program.
- It's a challenge. It looks like we will be able to have a normal summer this year. You can look at our roster as a concern, but we see it as an advantage. We're going to be able to instill our culture and values and there is nothing more important than that. We need to set those building blocks for how we want Gopher basketball to look right now.
- I call my recruiting style closing the fence. Learned it from Tim Miles and a couple others. It's all about relationships. Positive and healthy relationships with players, families, and key people. Making sure they know how much you care on and off the court. You can't be afraid to fight some battles. You can't look at an offer list and not want to bark up that tree. I want to build a relationship that's so good that they can't say no.
