All Things P.J. Fleck Rumor Mill Thread - Listed as Candidate for Other Jobs

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mngg11 said:
IMO, RTB would disappear among the other 14000 Los Angeles area/California do good/feel good/be your best mantra campaigns. He's got a corner on the market in both Minnesota and the Midwest in his current position. His role as a B10 coach gets him constant media coverage both locally and nationally, and the performance expectations here are vastly lower than in a large market or at a helmet school. He doesn't need to worry about someone with significant AD influence or a rabid fanbase being pissed off about not getting to 9 wins annually while he's here and can continue to invest a significant amount of his time on furthering his cause. If he cares about his messaging more than having more money (and when you make 6 mil a year how much does your life really improve making 8-12 instead???) and he likes it here and continues to receive support from the school and athletic department, there isn't a logical reason to leave. I also don't want him to go, so I'm biased
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He's at $6.7M and his retention bonus of $700K goes up by $100K each year of his contract, so it will be $1.2M in 2029, putting him at $7.2M for 2029. If my math is correct, that retention bonus adds up to $5M in total for 2025 through 2029, and his total comp (without any CFP/Bowl bonuses) for those five years will be $35 Million.
 

We’re firmly into the 7 year itch part of the marriage. Personally I am neutral on whether he stays or goes. I like him as a person and personality and he’s done a solidly average job as a coach of a program with difficulties with an incredible 2019 season we’ll never forget. I don’t know that he deserves the type of job security Coyle has afforded him based strictly on overall output. Still a chance for 8 wins this year, though.
 

Gophers1992 said:
I think people are underestimating
A. PJ’s qualifications when stacked up against other candidates and
B. The level of coaches these types of programs usually end up hiring.

Look at other mid level P4 hires in recent years.

Michigan State has hired Jon Smith and Mel Tucker, neither of whom had a resume that stacks up to PJ’s current track record.

Syracuse just hired a guy with no HC experience.

Baylor hired a guy who was an elite coordinator but had no HC experience.

Nebraska hired a guy with similar accomplishments to PJ.

West Virginia hired a guy with no P5 experience.

I’m not at all saying UNC will hire PJ, I doubt they will, but those asking “why does PJ get any consideration?”, are underselling the value of a guy who won 13 games at a G5 and won 9+ games 3 times in a 4 year period at a historically underwhelming big ten school.
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And to piggyback on PJ's selling points:

1. He maintains a strong culture within and around the program, one in which his players are fully bought into and truly believe in.

2. He keeps his players on a strong academic footing, and he graduates them.

3. He keeps all off-topic nonsense and drama surrounding his team down to an absolute bare minimum, I mean you will hardly EVER hear even a peep about players misbehaving, getting into trouble, and etc. This program is blessedly quiet and free from those kinds of distractions, and that is all on PJ's leadership.

4. And to that note, he seems an exemplary leader, one whom is exceptionally well-respected both within his program, within the department and university, and within the wider community and state surrounding it. He's an outstanding forward face of the program, and yes, I'm sure he was out ladling hot cocoa at the Turkey Drive, because that's all a part of that.

Now some of these things matter more to some schools than to others, but these are all things he's accomplished here, can take great pride in, and can sell, if he chooses to do so.
 

Pompous Elitist said:
We’re firmly into the 7 year itch part of the marriage. Personally I am neutral on whether he stays or goes. I like him as a person and personality and he’s done a solidly average job as a coach of a program with difficulties with an incredible 2019 season we’ll never forget. I don’t know that he deserves the type of job security Coyle has afforded him based strictly on overall output. Still a chance for 8 wins this year, though.
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My ongoing expectations are 8 wins (or better) in the regular season. He absolutely had a good chance of doing so this year. With who they have next year in nonconference and in conference, there's eight regular season wins to be had with IA, WI, OR and OSU in the loss column. I think IA and WI are really toss ups, so good chance at 8+. Get it done Fleck!
 
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btowngopher said:
You’d have a hard time convincing me to take someone who isn’t already a head coach somewhere. Bringing your players with you is such a huge advantage to hit the ground running. Someone pointed out how Fleck’s year zero may have looked very different if he had that luxury at the time.
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Example being Indiana this year
 


Some guy said:
Yeah we should hire a guy who has had success at the lower level and gets the team a top 10 type season in the first 3 years.
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You forgot the part of bringing a bunch of his players/recruits. 😜
 

Seany said:
And to piggyback on PJ's selling points:

1. He maintains a strong culture within and around the program, one in which his players are fully bought into and truly believe in.

2. He keeps his players on a strong academic footing, and he graduates them.

3. He keeps all off-topic nonsense and drama surrounding his team down to an absolute bare minimum, I mean you will hardly EVER hear even a peep about players misbehaving, getting into trouble, and etc. This program is blessedly quiet and free from those kinds of distractions, and that is all on PJ's leadership.

4. And to that note, he seems an exemplary leader, one whom is exceptionally well-respected both within his program, within the department and university, and within the wider community and state surrounding it. He's an outstanding forward face of the program, and yes, I'm sure he was out ladling hot cocoa at the Turkey Drive, because that's all a part of that.

Now some of these things matter more to some schools than to others, but these are all things he's accomplished here, can take great pride in, and can sell, if he chooses to do so.
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Number 3 is kind of unheard of to be honest. Even at WMU he has some issues early on, but the program here has been remarkable on that front during his tenure.
 


NoelarBear said:
FWIW,

Talked to the guys over at Keeping it Heel.
They don't believe Fleck is or will be a serious candidate for the job.
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It makes sense. With Fleck I think you know what you're getting but I don't know if there's a feeling he can take a program like MN or UNC to a consistent top 10-15 teams. It might be a big delusional but I get the feeling UNC thinks they can be a consistent top team in the ACC. They'll shoot higher. High risk, high rewards type of hire.
 



I don’t think he is a candidate, Mack and he have very similar records the last 6 years, why would NC get rid of a good coach to hire another good coach? They must have a solid up and coming potential great coach (in their estimation)waiting for the season to be over, I would say.

On the other hand IF Coach Fleck is seriously considering every lateral move that comes up, he should go. I don’t think he is though.
 

Tech Machine said:
I don’t think he is a candidate, Mack and he have very similar records the last 6 years, why would NC get rid of a good coach to hire another good coach? They must have a solid up and coming potential great coach (in their estimation)waiting for the season to be over, I would say.

On the other hand IF Coach Fleck is seriously considering every lateral move that comes up, he should go. I don’t think he is though.
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30+ year difference in age could be a factor.
 


Doogies questionable track record makes me think PJ is staying.

This is like when an AD gives a hot seat coach a vote of confidence. Doogie just made sure PJ won't get the UNC job.
 



Seany said:
And to piggyback on PJ's selling points:

1. He maintains a strong culture within and around the program, one in which his players are fully bought into and truly believe in.

2. He keeps his players on a strong academic footing, and he graduates them.

3. He keeps all off-topic nonsense and drama surrounding his team down to an absolute bare minimum, I mean you will hardly EVER hear even a peep about players misbehaving, getting into trouble, and etc. This program is blessedly quiet and free from those kinds of distractions, and that is all on PJ's leadership.

4. And to that note, he seems an exemplary leader, one whom is exceptionally well-respected both within his program, within the department and university, and within the wider community and state surrounding it. He's an outstanding forward face of the program, and yes, I'm sure he was out ladling hot cocoa at the Turkey Drive, because that's all a part of that.

Now some of these things matter more to some schools than to others, but these are all things he's accomplished here, can take great pride in, and can sell, if he chooses to do so.
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Yikes.
 

PMWinSTP said:
My ongoing expectations are 8 wins (or better) in the regular season. He absolutely had a good chance of doing so this year. With who they have next year in nonconference and in conference, there's eight regular season wins to be had with IA, WI, OR and OSU in the loss column. I think IA and WI are really toss ups, so good chance at 8+. Get it done Fleck!
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My expectations are similar but rather than 8 regular season I expect 5 regular season conference wins

Non conference is too inconsistent to use as a metric.
Gophers win on Friday but played a scrub instead of North Carolina and it would change your opinion of the season?
 



Some guy said:
My expectations are similar but rather than 8 regular season I expect 5 regular season conference wins

Non conference is too inconsistent to use as a metric.
Gophers win on Friday but played a scrub instead of North Carolina and it would change your opinion of the season?
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Gophs should have won that game.
 

Some guy said:
My expectations are similar but rather than 8 regular season I expect 5 regular season conference wins

Non conference is too inconsistent to use as a metric.
Gophers win on Friday but played a scrub instead of North Carolina and it would change your opinion of the season?
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8/12 = 67%
5/9 = 55%

I'll propose to split the difference with 6 out of 10 :)

Win 6 out of the 9 conf games + the best non-conf. Sometimes that game has been like a Fresno State. But usually it seems like its a Power conf team.

And usually 2 gimme games non-conf (both at home) anyway, so that would give the 8 anyway.
 

I don't think you're going to see a B1G or SEC coach leave for a middle of the pack job in one of the other conferences. If Fleck leaves it will be for ND, Michigan or a decent SEC job.
 


howeda7 said:
I don't think you're going to see a B1G or SEC coach leave for a middle of the pack job in one of the other conferences. If Fleck leaves it will be for ND, Michigan or a decent SEC job.
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He'll need several more 10 win seasons here to even get a sniff at either of those two jobs. Neither would go for the RTB branding either.
 

How about the guy at SMU? Bang up job last two seasons. They must have some crazy NIL, and perhaps some easy schedules? I have no idea, I just know the W-L has skyrocketed.
 


GopherGrit said:
8/12 = 67%
5/9 = 55%

I'll propose to split the difference with 6 out of 10 :)

Win 6 out of the 9 conf games + the best non-conf. Sometimes that game has been like a Fresno State. But usually it seems like its a Power conf team.

And usually 2 gimme games non-conf (both at home) anyway, so that would give the 8 anyway.
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Pretty close.
If the team finishes 5-4 this year I’ll consider it a success even losing to UNC
If they had beaten UNC but lost to Wisconsin, it’s a failure to me

Not all wins are created equal.
Obviously a loss to a scrub could make you feel worse about 5-4

But if the gophers go in thinking 5-4 every year eventually they break into an7-2 and that’s a playoff berth
 

oak_street1981 said:
That SMU coach is not going to North Carolina or Minnesota unless they want to pay Nick Saban money, and he already will get it there.

The big ciagar/ high rollers in Texas have already committed to resurrecting the SMU Pony Express circa 1982 now that the payoffs are all legal. They did not even blink when the ACC offered them with little of TV part of the pie for years. Those Dallas money guys just laughed and paid up.

Watch SMU, they are going on a rampage.

Heating Coyle is pretty weak, so PJ will get more money, but if it were me, I'd not blink and stick with the current contract, PJ or no PJ. Worst case PJ goes and we hire the former Kansas and current PSU OC as HC, or others. Even Whitewater guy Lieapold or the NSDU/ KSU guy.
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SMU willingly gave up 9 years of ACC tv revenue to make the move. They also just signed an extension with Lashlee, who has a fantastic QB in local kid Kevin Jennings, and a bunch of talent around him. If they keep Jennings healthy, they're going to be good for a while.
 

GophersInIowa said:
It makes sense. With Fleck I think you know what you're getting but I don't know if there's a feeling he can take a program like MN or UNC to a consistent top 10-15 teams. It might be a big delusional but I get the feeling UNC thinks they can be a consistent top team in the ACC. They'll shoot higher. High risk, high rewards type of hire.
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I think for them that makes sense. Their bball team is the focus, add in other sports they dominate and football is one of those that they want to win big, but if they don't meh that's OK we are great in other sports we will survive.
 

howeda7 said:
I don't think you're going to see a B1G or SEC coach leave for a middle of the pack job in one of the other conferences. If Fleck leaves it will be for ND, Michigan or a decent SEC job.
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I think only exception to this would be possibly:
Florida state, Miami, Clemson, North Carolina

Other than those 4, the problem with the rest of the big 12 and ACC is it could take a sudden downgrade in resources in prestige at any moment because of nothing in your control.
Whereas those four will almost surely be taken by one of the SEC or Big 10 in the next round of expansion.
I actually think North Carolina is the safest bet to be taken of those four
 

Pompous Elitist said:
We’re firmly into the 7 year itch part of the marriage. Personally I am neutral on whether he stays or goes. I like him as a person and personality and he’s done a solidly average job as a coach of a program with difficulties with an incredible 2019 season we’ll never forget. I don’t know that he deserves the type of job security Coyle has afforded him based strictly on overall output. Still a chance for 8 wins this year, though.
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What job security has Coyle afforded him other than not firing him?

Isn’t it kind of a fired or not fired situation?
 


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