BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 61,140
- Reaction score
- 16,758
- Points
- 113
Per Sam:
It’s the quietest part of the year for college football. Vacation season for coaches and players. So while they — and some of you — might be at the beach, we’ve crafted Big Ten-themed topics to explore. No firm answers, just fun — and pertinent — questions.
Today’s topic:
The Gopher head coach, who took the job in 2017, has won 60% of his games since taking over at the school. He’s 5-0 in bowls, filled his stadium to 96% capacity in 2023 according to D1 ticker, and generally doesn’t put his foot in his mouth like half the Big Ten coaches do.
And yet his name keeps getting attached to other jobs.
Last offseason, internet rumblings suggested he wanted a UCLA job so undesirable Chip Kelly left it to call plays at Ohio State. The Bruin brass instead went with a former player who’s never been more than a position coach.
So here’s Fleck in 2024, getting five of his first six games this season at home — including North Carolina, Iowa and USC — before the schedule turns nastier later in the year.
He has an FCS transfer quarterback, Max Brosmer, who he wants opponents to know nothing about.
He also has a defense that slipped, more than a little bit, against the pass last season.
The marriage of Minnesota and Fleck’s boat oars has been a success. None of the Jerry Kill/Tracy Claeys-era drama. But the Gophers found a reason to fire Glen Mason — who won 53% of his games — after a decade, and Fleck likely chafes to reach the College Football Playoff. He’s not likely to do it at Minnesota.
This year could be the litmus test. And Nebraska won’t play a role in it. For the first time since joining the Big Ten, the Huskers won’t be playing the Gophers. Fleck is 6-1 against NU.
nptelegraph.com
Go Gophers!!
It’s the quietest part of the year for college football. Vacation season for coaches and players. So while they — and some of you — might be at the beach, we’ve crafted Big Ten-themed topics to explore. No firm answers, just fun — and pertinent — questions.
Today’s topic:
Can the P.J. Fleck/Minnesota marriage evolve past the seven-year itch?
The Gopher head coach, who took the job in 2017, has won 60% of his games since taking over at the school. He’s 5-0 in bowls, filled his stadium to 96% capacity in 2023 according to D1 ticker, and generally doesn’t put his foot in his mouth like half the Big Ten coaches do.
And yet his name keeps getting attached to other jobs.
Last offseason, internet rumblings suggested he wanted a UCLA job so undesirable Chip Kelly left it to call plays at Ohio State. The Bruin brass instead went with a former player who’s never been more than a position coach.
So here’s Fleck in 2024, getting five of his first six games this season at home — including North Carolina, Iowa and USC — before the schedule turns nastier later in the year.
He has an FCS transfer quarterback, Max Brosmer, who he wants opponents to know nothing about.
He also has a defense that slipped, more than a little bit, against the pass last season.
The marriage of Minnesota and Fleck’s boat oars has been a success. None of the Jerry Kill/Tracy Claeys-era drama. But the Gophers found a reason to fire Glen Mason — who won 53% of his games — after a decade, and Fleck likely chafes to reach the College Football Playoff. He’s not likely to do it at Minnesota.
This year could be the litmus test. And Nebraska won’t play a role in it. For the first time since joining the Big Ten, the Huskers won’t be playing the Gophers. Fleck is 6-1 against NU.
Big Ten Beach Read: P.J. Fleck, Minnesota and the seven-year itch
Sam McKewon kicks off his Big Ten Beach Read series with a P.J. Fleck's tenure in Minnesota and if it can evolve past the seven-year itch.
Go Gophers!!
