Gopher Assistant Football Coaches 2026

[PMWinSTP]

Seems like we cheaped out and missed on a fantastic get.

Based on what?

 

[60's Guy]

I don't doubt that Fleck and like many others do have a mentor that we just don't know about it. Most of us have someone whom we look up to and to pick their brains.

PJ has several he has mentioned: P.J. Fleck's key mentor and head coach at Northern Illinois (NIU) was Joe Novak, who hired Fleck as receivers coach in 2007, fostering his early career before Novak's retirement, after which Fleck stayed on under Jerry Kill, but Fleck also credits Jim Tressel (from Ohio State) as a major influence on his coaching philosophy and poise.
And he has lauded Schiano's influence many times as mentioned.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

 

[MaxyJR1]

Saw steam on this a week ago when Leonhard was interviewing for jobs that he’d probably follow him.

 

[Some Day...Maybe]

Special Teams Coordinator: Bob Ligashesky out and Daniel Da Prato New Mexico's Special Teams Coordinator from the Rate Bowl in.
Defensive Line Coach: Dennis Dottin-Carter out and Travis Moore will be assistant Defensive Line Coach. Was at Northern Illinois as Defensive Line coach. He was a teammate of PJ's at Northern Illinois. C.J. Robbins was promoted from within to be the new Defensive Line Coach.
Outside Linebackers Coach: Kevin Kane moved to Purdue as DC and ?
Rush DE Coach: Reportedly Bobby April III is the new Rush DE coach. April was the Stanford DC. C.J. Robbins was the Rush DE Coach before becoming the new DL Coach.
RB Coach: Jaydon Everett moved to Wisconsin and Mo Ibrahim is replacing him. Was at Kent State one year under Kenni Burns. Obviously after 5 years or so Mo knows what Kenni knows about RB's and more.
WR Coach: Matt Simon out and Isaac Fruechte in. Fruechte was North Dakota OC...last year he was a strong candidate to be their head coach as interim head coach but was not chosen. His dad, Carl is a Caledonia, 10X State Champion Football Head Coaching legend.
Assistant Quarterbacks Coach: Keegan O'Hara promoted from within earlier in season.

Greder says the Outside Linebackers Nickel Backs Coaching position is still open.

Bobby April III doesn't have a lot of internet confirmation. Bobby April III is definitely the most high profile coach of the incoming or outgoing group. Hope he's a Gopher!

3 d-line coaches. Crazy.

 

[Arminius]

Fleck likes young guys to coach and mentor. Sometimes I’d like him to find himself a veteran mentor.

To your point Maxy, if anyone here has a business coach ask them who their coach is...

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Fleck likes young guys to coach and mentor. Sometimes I’d like him to find himself a veteran mentor.

Bring in Mace as an emeritus offensive analyst. Keep Mace away from the defensive guys.