CBS: Who's on the cusp of emerging as the next 'it' coach in college football? (Tom Fornelli: P.J. Fleck, Minnesota)

[BleedGopher]

per CBS:

Tom Fornelli: P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
P.J. Fleck hasn't even reached the age of 40, yet he has led two different FBS programs to double-digit win seasons. After leading Western Michigan to a 13-1 season and a Cotton Bowl appearance in 2016, Fleck rowed his boat west to Minnesota. He went 12-13 in his first two seasons with the Gophers, but the team broke through in 2019, finishing 11-2 and defeating Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

His personality and approach have shown to rub some people the wrong way, but it's clear that for those who vibe with it, it's an effective approach. The one thing Fleck still must prove is that he can maintain the success he's had at his two stops. If he can do that at Minnesota, bigger jobs will come calling.

Staff picks: Who's on the cusp of emerging as the next 'it' coach in college football?

Our staff shines a spotlight on their favorite up-and-coming young coaches in college football

www.cbssports.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

 

[#2Gopher]

Goldy is alive and strong these days as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GopherPD]

If PJ starts winning division and conference championships, Minnesota will be a "bigger job." Can't get much bigger than Big Ten champ!

 

[PitinoFan]

This is just another “Fleck will leave soon for for a helmet school” article.

 

[BilldGopher]

Seeing the quote that Coach was not yet "40" got me curious.

At least for Minnesota's coaching staff, looks like the oldest are three in the 49-51 years old range.

Majority in the 30-40 demographic, including Coach Fleck.

Where age is known a risk factor for covid co-morbidity, at least that's not a significant issue with our team.

 

[MRJ]

This is just another “Fleck will leave soon for for a helmet school” article.

Pretty much. The national media is drooling at the possibility of him leaving.

I guess that's a positive because it'll mean the program is still winning, but at this point, it's pretty much played out because it's everybody's default position amongst national media members.

As a fan, I say just play the games, win the vast majority of them and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[MNVCGUY]

If PJ starts winning division and conference championships, Minnesota will be a "bigger job." Can't get much bigger than Big Ten champ!

Yep, same old same old from the National people, if he wins at Minnesota he will go to one of the big time jobs. Never mind that Minnesota is in the Big Frickin Ten so already is one of the big time jobs. People have just forgotten what this place can be after so many years of mediocrity. Fleck sees it and I think he realizes that with the right coach the sky is the limit here.

There are certainly more prestigious jobs in college football right now but there are very few that can offer Fleck what the University of Minnesota can.