Minnesota coaching legend Dave Thorson happy to be back with Gophers

A member of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Dave Thorson is back in his adopted home state. Thorson, a former Gophers assistant under coach Clem Haskins in the 90s, is back at the ‘U’ working with new coach Ben Johnson.

Thorson has known Johnson for over 30-years and coached him at DeLaSalle high school in Minneapolis.

***Click the video box above to watch our recent feature story on Thorson***

Thorson spent 23 years as the coach at DeLaSalle where he dominated. He led the Islanders to nine state championships, including six straight, and had an overall record of 527-130. Johnson was responsible for helping Thorson win two state titles.

In 2017, Thorson joined Drake with his good friend and head coach, Niko Medved. After the 2017-2018 season, Medved landed the Colorado St. job and Thorson joined him.

It was Johnson landing the Gophers job and his deep ties with Ben that drew Thorson back to Minnesota last April.