In the wee hours Thursday morning, Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson was let go by Athletics Director Mark Coyle.

The Gophers fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson early Thursday following his third losing season in four years. The decision will cost the University of Minnesota a $2.93 million buyout of his contract.

University of Minnesota Director of Athletics Mark Coyle spoke to the media on Friday, which was the first time since firing Ben Johnson earlier this week. He had a lot to say, but the main takeaway is that Minnesota plans to move fast in its search for a new men's basketball head coach.