For those that haven't read the Athletic article, Feldman lists 4 power 5 coaches who will get considertion in Duke coach Mike Elko, Kansas coach Lance Leipold, Kansas State coach Chris Klineman, and Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck.
Without stealing his entire article, by what he says about each of these candidates, it reads like he's ordered them from most to least likely to take the job if offered. The section on Fleck:
"Word is the Spartans have some interest in Fleck, who has done a nice job bringing in a lot of stability to a program that was reeling when he left Western Michigan. The 42 year old is 42-28 at Minnesota and that includes an 11-2 season and a top 10 finish in 2019. He has a good job in the Big Ten, but it's worth noting that MSU is a program that has reached the College Football Playorr before so it wouldn't shock us if he'd consider it."
Feldman goes on to list a bunch of group of five coaches and assistants later in the article. Interstingly enough the assistant he thinks will get the strongest look is Sean Lewis the former Kent State coach who is coordinating the Colorado offense this year.
I could personally see a scenario where Fleck leaving for Michigan State would make sense for both Fleck and Minnesota. If the Gophers end up 7-5 with another loss to Iowa and don't appear to have a significantly better season on the horizon in 2024, I could see Fleck jumping while he can. It's a tough needle to thread though because after such a season would Michigan State want him over other candidates who may have more momentum? I'd personally rather think about Fleck going 9-3 and putting himself, and the Gopher program, in a better position.
