Different Vibe

[50PoundHead]

You can definitely see the shift over the last 5 years in how the top in-state recruits view the program.

I think it took awhile for Fleck to really build up the in-state connections, but he appears a bridge has been crossed and we'll be in the hunt for the best in-state players going forward. I know that a lot of the high school coaching contingent really loved (and I mean LOVED) Jerry Kill and Fleck is an entirely different animal. I think Fleck has shown everyone that he knows how to both coach and promote and he's not simply a compendium of corny acronyms.

 

[Arminius]

I think it took awhile for Fleck to really build up the in-state connections, but he appears a bridge has been crossed and we'll be in the hunt for the best in-state players going forward. I know that a lot of the high school coaching contingent really loved (and I mean LOVED) Jerry Kill and Fleck is an entirely different animal. I think Fleck has shown everyone that he knows how to both coach and promote and he's not simply a compendium of corny acronyms.

 

[Arminius]

I know my coach at MVL (Minnesota Valley Lutheran) loved Kill, but after the first coach's clinic with PJ & Kirk he told me, " This is on another level... the Gophers are going to be great to watch."

 

[Some guy]

I think part of what we are seeing is the benefit of the program being relevant again for an extended period of time, especially as it pertains to local kids.

Current local recruits were in middle school and high school during these Fleck years and many of them probably attended youth camps at the U of M.

This years seniors were 12-13 when the 2019 season happened.
this years seniors were 7 when the team went to the citrus bowl.

We are reaching the point where there aren’t many high school players left with a living memory of gopher irrelevance. That’s huge

 

[MNVCGUY]

This years seniors were 12-13 when the 2019 season happened.
this years seniors were 7 when the team went to the citrus bowl.

We are reaching the point where there aren’t many high school players left with a living memory of gopher irrelevance. That’s huge

Yep....hopefully more and more guys growing up wanting to be part of Fleck's program.

 

[hungan1]

I think it took awhile for Fleck to really build up the in-state connections, but he appears a bridge has been crossed and we'll be in the hunt for the best in-state players going forward. I know that a lot of the high school coaching contingent really loved (and I mean LOVED) Jerry Kill and Fleck is an entirely different animal. I think Fleck has shown everyone that he knows how to both coach and promote and he's not simply a compendium of corny acronyms.

IIRC, he did say early on that one of his priorities is to build relationships with Minnesota high school coaches. It is paying off handsomely.

 

[diefirma]

I thought it was Ciarocca that asked PJ if he wanted to win the game?

That is how I remember it as well. I think PJ mentioned it at the press conference.

 

[BigTenGuy]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm starting to get a different vibe with the program. Fleck is successfully recruiting higher ranked kids it seems and now getting the top Minnesota kids.
If he can keep getting the QB position right, I think we are about to make the next step up.
Hope I'm correct and not being too enamored with recent developments.

I think you’re on to something. With Wisconsin in a tough spot, and Iowa fading (perhaps slowly) with an aging Ferentz, it’s time to pass by both of those programs. If I have my facts right, 1989 is the last time that Minnesota finished with a better conference record than both Wisconsin and Iowa.

 

[HopHead]

I sometimes post this story, but this is when the vibe changed around the gophers:


Not a lot of people at that game, but it was LOUD, and the crowd just ... just knew something was different about this team now with PJ around.

Old crowds would have been "ho hum, here we go, going to lose" but that crowd knew we were going to do something.

Supposedly before the playcall PJ was in the huddle and asked Batemen if he wants to win a football game

Defense also comes up big and seals it.

I have to confess. We left that game when it hit 31-9 in the third quarter. It was cold, rainy and I turned to my friend and said one of two things was going to happen:

1. The Gophers would go on to win easily. We won't miss anything by leaving.
2. They would blow the lead. I don't want to sit through that.

So we left.

 

[PoockItInfor6]

I sometimes post this story, but this is when the vibe changed around the gophers:


Not a lot of people at that game, but it was LOUD, and the crowd just ... just knew something was different about this team now with PJ around.

Old crowds would have been "ho hum, here we go, going to lose" but that crowd knew we were going to do something.

Supposedly before the playcall PJ was in the huddle and asked Batemen if he wants to win a football game

Defense also comes up big and seals it.

My brother’s wedding rehearsal dinner was this day. The one game I’ve had to sell my tickets to in the last 10 - 15 years.

 

[btowngopher]

I think you’re on to something. With Wisconsin in a tough spot, and Iowa fading (perhaps slowly) with an aging Ferentz, it’s time to pass by both of those programs. If I have my facts right, 1989 is the last time that Minnesota finished with a better conference record than both Wisconsin and Iowa.

We’re definitely at a point where a loss to either rival is consistently more of a disappointment than an expectation.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Still need to crack the lakeville code.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Still need to crack the lakeville code.

They haven't exactly had anyone to get excited about since Mahlman.

 

[LeftofThaDial]

They haven't exactly had anyone to get excited about since Mahlman.

Carson Hansen is a nice player

 

[btowngopher]

Carson Hansen is a nice player

We never offered him though. Other than Hansen, Mahlman and Leidner has anyone else been decent recently?