The name that is being tossed around most for the Gophers job is Western Michigan’s young and energetic boat captain, PJ Fleck. He has been sensational at WMU most notably pulling in the MAC’s #1 recruiting class every year since 2013 even earning a Top 40 spot from 247Sports for his 2015 class which ranked #36 overall. That same year the Gopher’s recruiting class ranked #63 overall and was second-to-last in the Big Ten.
Looking at the upcoming recruiting class, the Gophers are currently ranked by Rivals at #77. While PJ Fleck’s Broncos are at #53 and notably ahead of some larger programs like Ole Miss and TCU.
Why are these recruiting statistics so important? AD Coyle noted in his statement regarding the firing of Coach Claeys that recruiting was a key motivator in the decision. Players clearly are willing to go wherever PJ Fleck is coaching and the recruiting resources of a Big Ten University would be giving a great recruiter another big boost. Also, Fleck’s Chicagoland roots would really help solidify a foundation for Gopher recruiting in the Midwest. Let’s not forget the $190 million facilities upgrade coming in January of 2018 that will give the Gophers one of the best facilities in the entire nation. All this shows a commitment to longevity and recruiting which would be further reinforced with the hiring of a young, charismatic leader with strengths in recruiting.
One knock against PJ Fleck would be his lack of experience, especially at the head coach role. In 2012 Western Michigan made him the youngest head coach in the FBS. In four years his win-loss totals are 30-22 (Year splits: 1-11, 8-5, 8-5, 13-1). Fleck was immediately able to turn around a struggling WMU program and lead them to 3 consecutive bowl games, back-to-back conference titles (shared in ’15), and their first ever bowl win. His coaching acumen is also quite astounding. He has been on coaching staffs with Jim Tressel (Graduate Assistant at OSU ‘06), Jerry Kill and Co. (Recruiting Coordinator/WRs at NIU ‘08), and Greg Schiano (WR Coach at Rutgers and TB Buccaneers ’10-’12). Say what you want about his youth, but there is plenty of experience and results here.
Fleck could be the charismatic leader the Gophers need right now. Also, I’m sure that Cotton Bowl loss to our eastern neighbors hurt. Coach Fleck, we play them for this big axe every year and haven’t won it in a bit. Imagine that.
Stats from Wikipedia, 247Sports, and Rivals.