In a surprise move that has sent ripples through the Big Ten basketball community, Minnesota Golden Gophers assistant coach Rob Jeter has been relieved of his duties, sources close to the program confirmed late Friday night. The dismissal comes amid growing internal tension within the coaching staff and what insiders have described as “philosophical differences” with head coach Ben Johnson.
While the university has yet to release an official statement, several reports suggest that Jeter’s departure was not part of a planned staff restructuring. According to one source within the athletic department, the decision was made following a closed-door meeting earlier this week in which members of the coaching staff voiced concerns about team direction and cohesion.
Jeter, 56, joined the Gophers program after previous head coaching stints at Western Illinois and Milwaukee. Known for his defensive-minded coaching style and recruiting ties across the Midwest, Jeter was seen as a stabilizing force for the relatively young coaching staff. His experience was especially valuable in mentoring Minnesota’s underclassmen and assisting in player development during off-season training.
Despite his strengths, tension reportedly began brewing over disagreements on player rotations, offseason training regimens, and recruiting priorities heading into the 2025–26 season. According to sources close to the team, Jeter had expressed frustration over what he saw as a lack of input on strategic decisions and was “increasingly isolated” from day-to-day planning sessions.
“He came in with high hopes and had a real impact early on,” said a university staff member who asked to remain anonymous. “But as time went on, it became clear that not everyone was on the same page. This wasn’t just about Xs and Os—it was about leadership and chemistry behind the scenes.”
The timing of the firing raises questions for the Gophers, who are entering a pivotal season following two years of rebuilding under Coach Johnson. With high expectations fueled by a promising recruiting class and renewed alumni support, stability within the staff was seen as key to finally pushing the program into upper-tier Big Ten contention.
No immediate replacement for Jeter has been announced, though sources indicate the Gophers are considering several internal promotions, with assistant coach Dave Thorson reportedly taking on a larger role in the interim.
Reaction among fans has been mixed. While some applaud the move as necessary to realign the staff ahead of a critical season, others have voiced concerns over the abruptness of the decision and the potential disruption it could cause during preseason preparation.
“Something clearly wasn’t working,” said local sports radio host Mark Ellison on his Friday broadcast. “But if you’re firing someone with Rob Jeter’s résumé just weeks before the season begins, you better have a plan.”
As of Saturday morning, the University of Minnesota had not responded to requests for comment.
