Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson after four seasons in an announcement posted to social media at 2:19 a.m. ET following the team's season-ending loss Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to Northwestern.

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.

The Minnesota basketball season came to a close on Wednesday as the Golden Gophers lost in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament against Northwestern. The 72-64 loss capped off another disappointing season for the Golden Gophers,