Dane Mizutani: Gophers need Niko Medved to channel his inner P.J. Fleck

[BleedGopher]

Per Dane:

It would be wise for Medved to mold himself in Fleck’s image.

That doesn’t mean Medved needs to act like Fleck. He simply has to connect with people the same way he does.

You have to get people to care. It’s the only way the Gophers are going to succeed in a game that’s seemingly rigged for them to fail.

Dane Mizutani: Gophers need Niko Medved to channel his inner P.J. Fleck

That doesn’t mean Medved needs to act like Fleck. He simply has to connect with people the same way he does.

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Go Gophers!!

 

[LesBolstad]

He's off to a great start with what I've seen so far

 

[Ope3]

Despite being 7 years older, Medved has Fleck beat in the hairstyle department.

 

[everybody knows my name]

No way. I find PJ's cliches and sloganeering off-putting, but from what I've seen, I like Medved.

 

[Gophers1992]

No way. I find PJ's cliches and sloganeering off-putting, but from what I've seen, I like Medved.

The first sentence preview of the article says "this doesn't mean he has to act like PJ, just needs to connect with people the way PJ has".

 

[everybody knows my name]

The first sentence preview of the article says "this doesn't mean he has to act like PJ, just needs to connect with people the way PJ has".

"It would be wise for Medved to mold himself in Fleck’s image."

That sentence gives me the creeps.

 

[Gophers1992]

"It would be wise for Medved to mold himself in Fleck’s image."

That sentence gives me the creeps.

I suppose they could have just said "Medved can learn lessons from PJ in how to build a program at the U"

I think common sense would assume they didn't mean that Niko should sprint down the sideline at the end of each half and end each interview with RTBSUMGG.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Does Niko have a cyber clone?

 

[MaxyJR1]

That's what Niko does and why he was hired on top of his winning. He's been doing it longer than PJ.

Niko has done it at worse schools than the U like PJ did.

I do think they are a great fit for the U as a combo.

 

[Stuff]

Does Niko have a cyber clone?

Did he get his eyeballs 👁 removed?

 

[laazrakit]

No way. I find PJ's cliches and sloganeering off-putting, but from what I've seen, I like Medved.

Yeah, like he's said ad nauseam, he's not for everyone. The thing is... Those who willingly drink the Kool-Aid, so to speak, buy into what PJ is putting out. NIL money isn't soooo important if a player is a believer... or better yet, when the parents believe. Not every player (or family) is going to buy in... but the ones who do are pretty fervent in their dedication to PJ and the program.

Truth be told, I kinda like the players he gets to buy into his "cliches and sloganeering." It's nice not having to worry about trains being pulled or religious recruits being taken to strip clubs, etc.

 

[mngg11]

Yeah, like he's said ad nauseam, he's not for everyone. The thing is... Those who willingly drink the Kool-Aid, so to speak, buy into what PJ is putting out. NIL money isn't soooo important if a player is a believer... or better yet, when the parents believe. Not every player (or family) is going to buy in... but the ones who do are pretty fervent in their dedication to PJ and the program.

Truth be told, I kinda like the players he gets to buy into his "cliches and sloganeering." It's nice not having to worry about trains being pulled or religious recruits being taken to strip clubs, etc.

His "cliches" work because he believes in and lives by them everyday. He's setting these kids up to succeed in life outside of football and he's absolutely established a great reputation among his former players, both in the pros and in regular life, which will pay dividends and already has in some cases. Parents who care about their kids' futures outside of football and do their homework on PJ know exactly what he's all about because he puts it all out there. Any negative press that's come has quickly been disproven and has been from people with ulterior motives.

I know I probably sound like one of his family members but I'm not, I sinply love what the guy has done for the image of this program along with what he's given us on the field. He's an awesome public persona in a sea of shitty public personas.

 

[Bobek]

No way. I find PJ's cliches and sloganeering off-putting, but from what I've seen, I like Medved.

Agree on Fleck’s overuse of cliches, but he has gotten pretty good result for this program.

 

[everybody knows my name]

Agree on Fleck’s overuse of cliches, but he has gotten pretty good result for this program.

You're right, I won't argue with his winning percentage. He's winning at a respectable rate.

 

[highwayman]

His "cliches" work because he believes in and lives by them every day. He's setting these kids up to succeed in life outside of football and he's absolutely established a great reputation among his former players, both in the pros and in regular life, which will pay dividends and already has in some cases. Parents who care about their kids' futures outside of football and do their homework on PJ know exactly what he's all about because he puts it all out there. Any negative press that's come has quickly been disproven and has been from people with ulterior motives.

I know I probably sound like one of his family members but I'm not, I simply love what the guy has done for the image of this program along with what he's given us on the field. He's an awesome public persona in a sea of shitty public personas.

You are dead on. I firmly believe that anyone who is "put off" or "offended" by PJ's "cliches" has some growing up to do. It works. And works. And works. Move on or get another team to follow.

Likewise, those who revel in or ascribe to the sea of shitty public personas should look deeply inward. Once you can't throw or catch a ball anymore, no one cares about you.

"What was Dez Bryant's downfall?

"Dez Bryant."

 

[caliGopher]

You are dead on. I firmly believe that anyone who is "put off" or "offended" by PJ's "cliches" has some growing up to do. It works. And works. And works. Move on or get another team to follow.

Likewise, those who revel in or ascribe to the sea of shitty public personas should look deeply inward. Once you can't throw or catch a ball anymore, no one cares about you.

"What was Dez Bryant's downfall?

"Dez Bryant."

So when PJ says, "I'm not for everyone," does he need to grow up?

The Flecktites need to let go of the belief that PJ is the only coach who cares about his players. That belief is patently ridiculous.

Are there coaches with "shitty public personas?" Absolutely. Are they the majority? No. I, too, cringe when said coaches get a lot of attention and transgressions are overlooked based on on field performance only, and I hope we never hire one, but I also know it's highly unlikely the University of Minnesota ever would take that step - a blind commitment (one could argue a any level of commitment) to sports success is not a part of the DNA of the institution.

PJ is who he is. He knows it, and he seems quite comfortable with it. No one is required to like him, nor is anyone required to worship him. Whatever type of person he is or is not, he is hired to win games in the B1G.

 

[PMWinSTP]

I suppose they could have just said "Medved can learn lessons from PJ in how to build a program at the U"

I think common sense would assume they didn't mean that Niko should sprint down the sideline at the end of each half and end each interview with RTBSUMGG.

I dunno, with a dozen years of successful head coaching experience, I think Niko probably has figured out how to build a program.

 

[Gophers1992]

So when PJ says, "I'm not for everyone," does he need to grow up?

The Flecktites need to let go of the belief that PJ is the only coach who cares about his players. That belief is patently ridiculous.

Are there coaches with "shitty public personas?" Absolutely. Are they the majority? No. I, too, cringe when said coaches get a lot of attention and transgressions are overlooked based on on field performance only, and I hope we never hire one, but I also know it's highly unlikely the University of Minnesota ever would take that step - a blind commitment (one could argue a any level of commitment) to sports success is not a part of the DNA of the institution.

PJ is who he is. He knows it, and he seems quite comfortable with it. No one is required to like him, nor is anyone required to worship him. Whatever type of person he is or is not, he is hired to win games in the B1G.

Please cite where anyone stated this.

 

[Gophers1992]

I dunno, with a dozen years of successful head coaching experience, I think Niko probably has figured out how to build a program.

Correct, but one of them has shown that he can succeed at the U/at the P5 level thus far, and it's PJ.

 

[mngg11]

Please cite where anyone stated this.

He led with "Flecktites" (I assume he meant Fleckites), his opinion is irrelevant Nothing more than an agitator.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Correct, but one of them has shown that he can succeed at the U/at the P5 level thus far, and it's PJ.

You seem a bit sensitive here...

 

[caliGopher]

He led with "Flecktites" (I assume he meant Fleckites), his opinion is irrelevant Nothing more than an agitator.

Flecktites. Variation of -ites: The highly vocal group of fans who became fans in 2017 who think any statement about Fleck's performance that does not speak glowingly of his name and recognize his absolute greatness by standing and cheering loudly when he walks in the room are "agitators," trolls, or somehow less of a fan of the Univeristy of Minnesota.

I've been a fan of the University of Minnesota since I was accepted at the U and have been on this board since 2008. I will be a fan until the day I die. I spend a lot less time on gopherhole due to the pedantic nature of the current generation of fans who believe Fleck invented football, think he's above criticism, and whose sphincters tighten when you mention the albatros losses he's put up more often than signature wins over 8 years, particularly in the past 3 seasons - not that it makes them any less factual.

 

[mngg11]

Flecktites. Variation of -ites: The highly vocal group of fans who became fans in 2017 who think any statement about Fleck's performance that does not speak glowingly of his name and recognize his absolute greatness by standing and cheering loudly when he walks in the room are "agitators," trolls, or somehow less of a fan of the Univeristy of Minnesota.

I've been a fan of the University of Minnesota since I was accepted at the U and have been on this board since 2008. I will be a fan until the day I die. I spend a lot less time on gopherhole due to the pedantic nature of the current generation of fans who believe Fleck invented football, think he's above criticism, and whose sphincters tighten when you mention the albatros losses he's put up more often than signature wins over 8 years, particularly in the past 3 seasons - not that it makes them any less factual.

You seem to have made it your business to try to curb people's enthusiasm for a coach and a program that's up when it's been down for so long. You're a typical "hedge your bets" Gopher fan that gets upset and lashes out whenever anyone else is feeling good about things because you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop and are immediately looking for signs that reinforce your belief that the sky is going to inevitably fall. Yeah, statistically Fleck will either fail at some point or move on. Enjoy the fucking ride because his replacement will not be the next coming of Nick Saban and you'll still be a miserable human being trying to keep everyone's expectations tempered because you know better, right?

I don't question your fandom, but you're the worst type of fan we have. And there are still way too many of you, especially on this site.

 

[caliGopher]

You seem to have made it your business to try to curb people's enthusiasm for a coach and a program that's up when it's been down for so long. You're a typical "hedge your bets" Gopher fan that gets upset and lashes out whenever anyone else is feeling good about things because you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop and are immediately looking for signs that reinforce your belief that the sky is going to inevitably fall. Yeah, statistically Fleck will either fail at some point or move on. Enjoy the fucking ride because his replacement will not be the next coming of Nick Saban and you'll still be a miserable human being trying to keep everyone's expectations tempered because you know better, right?

I don't question your fandom, but you're the worst type of fan we have. And there are still way too many of you, especially on this site.

Ok. So I don't agree with you, so I suck.

Fleck has done a decent job, but he is not the second coming of Nick Saban. Fleck is not going to be, nor should he be fired, I've been clear that I agree with that.

Am I waiting for the other shoe to drop? No. I'm fairly certain that 2019 and 2023 are very similar aberrations from what seems like a genuine guy who's a really good rah, rah, CEO type guy, but an average coach, trying really hard to be more than average but is not succeeding. We are in the middle of the pack. We may have an up year here and there, and a down year here and there, but we'll get what we get.

I hope that Fleck will keep his foot off the neck of the offense, like last year, but in year 9, I've got 6 years of stifling the offense, pouring molasses over the field vs. two years of playing football on offense, so I'm not expecting much. I hope the games will be more enjoyable to watch like last year vs. the slogs this team has been to watch 4 out of the past 5 years.

But maybe I should just listen to you and buy my tickets for the Natty finals now, damn the results.

 

[laazrakit]

I will be a fan until the day I die. I spend a lot less time on gopherhole due to the pedantic nature of the current generation of fans who believe Fleck invented football, think he's above criticism, and whose sphincters tighten when you mention the albatros losses he's put up more often than signature wins over 8 years, particularly in the past 3 seasons

Some of us lived through the Cal Stoll, Joe Salem, Lou Holtz, John Gutekunst, Jim Wacker, Glen Mason, and Tim Brewster years... You haven't seen sphincter-tightening, albatross losses.