PJ Targeting Ciarrocca for Return as OC?


It is still entirely possible that Simon does not want to be an OC and is happy to be a position coach.
Makes perfect sense.

He just did the OC for the Auburn bowl game, and accepted the promotions to passing-game coordinator and then co-OC, for no reason.
 

The difference for some coaches is track record: they‘ve proven themselves to be winners and producers. Others haven’t done squat, or actively harmed their teams.

PJF has earned himself a long leash. Very few are calling for his head. Rossi is doing a great job. Ciarrocca has done a great job historically. If he’s willing to come back you take him back, 100% and eat your pride if necessary.
We are marching to program stability of an Iowa or a Wisconsin that we have yearned for a long, long time.

Patience is required because this effort can take more than five years. We don't want unrealistic expectations like what Nebraska fans have. They had a coach who wins 9 games a season fired. Be careful what you wish for.
 

Wonder if KC is going to accept coming back with Simon having "co-OC" title?

Or maybe even willing be actually be co-OC?? Wonder how that would work with play-calling. Maybe Fleck would make the final decision, when they disagree?


Or if KC will demand that Simon gets demoted back to PGC, or else he has to go?


Would be interesting to listen in on the negotiations going on now.

They would've announced him officially, by now, if it was a done deal.
 

Simon has had one good game that we know of and everyone wants him..
Correct, and one good game calling KC's offense. The passing game Simon coordinated the last two years left a lot to be desired.
 


Correct, and one good game calling KC's offense. The passing game Simon coordinated the last two years left a lot to be desired.
Some people just gonna believe the lies they want to believe, like here, no matter what ...
 

Coaching I understand but what about recruiting? Can he find the hidden gem that other recruiters miss? He will call the plays that PJ wants called.
Well according to the job description @fair posted, recruiting is only 20% of the job!
 

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=687a87fc87a6f589&from=serp

Sorry y’all, Kirk’s gonna have to beat me out for the job first.

It’s interesting seeing the duties laid out. From the link:
Duties:

Coaching (70%)

  • Assisting head coach in all aspects of developing and maintaining a competitive intercollegiate football program within the NCAA and Big Ten Conference.
  • Instruct and teach student-athletes in fundamentals of sport technique and game strategy. Plan and execute practice and competition plans including the evaluation of opponents.
  • Credentials should reflect proven success in recruiting, coaching, fostering a positive student-athlete experience and working with student-athletes to prepare them, during the 4-5 years as a student-athlete, for their lives after graduation.
Recruiting (20%)
  • Evaluate and recruit qualified student-athletes to the University of Minnesota whose athletic skills make them highly competitive in the Big Ten Conference, whose academic abilities make them good candidates for a meaningful academic experience and graduation from the University of Minnesota and who will be good ambassadors on campus and in the Twin Cities community
Administration & Compliance (10%)
  • Represent in a positive fashion the University and its athletic programs in private and public forums.
  • Commit to adhering with all laws, policies, rules and regulations of the University, Athletics Department, the Big Ten Conference, and the NCAA.
  • Partner in setting high standards for the academic performance of student-athletes to help them achieve full potential in a meaningful degree.
  • Provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop life and leadership skills during their time as a student-athlete.
  • Assist in advancing the department's mission, vision, and strategic plan including its commitment to equity and diversity.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to social justice, fairness and commit to: Being Accurate; Being Competitive; Being Honest; Being Inclusive and Being Kind. United Are We!
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships within the athletics department, the campus community, metro and outstate communities as well as communities of color and various socio economic communities. Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with donors, booster clubs, alumni, high school and club coaches, media and the general public.
  • Assist in monitoring the academic performance of student-athletes to help them achieve their full potential.
Up to 50% travel expected
 

It was well known within people close to the program that there was a lot of conflict between PJ and KC, in a good way. KC pushes PJ to be less conservative at times, and PJ respects him enough to have that dialogue. It's the kind of back and forth an effective coordinator-head coach need to have.

KC won't just blindly go conservative, and will push. Yet, even with KC calling we went highly conservative in some non-conference games even in 2019 that ended up much closer than they should have. Hopefully, after BG and Illinois this year, PJ and KC, if this happens, open things up a little bit in those non-conference games.
 




It was well known within people close to the program that there was a lot of conflict between PJ and KC, in a good way. KC pushes PJ to be less conservative at times, and PJ respects him enough to have that dialogue. It's the kind of back and forth an effective coordinator-head coach need to have.

KC won't just blindly go conservative, and will push. Yet, even with KC calling we went highly conservative in some non-conference games even in 2019 that ended up much closer than they should have. Hopefully, after BG and Illinois this year, PJ and KC, if this happens, open things up a little bit in those non-conference games.
Is it really 'conflict' if it is 'in a good way' and they have nothing but good things to say about each other?
 

Makes perfect sense.

He just did the OC for the Auburn bowl game, and accepted the promotions to passing-game coordinator and then co-OC, for no reason.
I absolutely do not want my bosses job. But I'm happy to serve as his backup when he's out of the office. I'll even accept an officer title.
 





If it was really that simple, that Simon said "thank you coach, but I don't want to be the full time play caller, I like analyzing, making game plans, and being a position coach, that's good enough for me, but I'll help out in a pinch when needed".

Then why wouldn't Fleck come out and say that????


Guaranteed, that wasn't and isn't it. Nice try though
 


People should realize that there will be up and down years for the Gophers even with KC back.

We will always have the “Fire someone” crowd on GH when the Gophers lose games. They expect perfection.
Correct. Some People wanted OC fired in mid season 2018

can’t remember who the OC was then, or the receivers coach
 

If it was really that simple, that Simon said "thank you coach, but I don't want to be the full time play caller, I like analyzing, making game plans, and being a position coach, that's good enough for me, but I'll help out in a pinch when needed".

Then why wouldn't Fleck come out and say that????


Guaranteed, that wasn't and isn't it. Nice try though
1. Cause Fleck doesn't owe us that
2. Cause then it implies that whomever he hires at OC was not his first choice and they face intense scrutiny

I have no idea if Simon wants to be an OC or not. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. The only people who know is him, Fleck and probably his family.
 

1. Cause Fleck doesn't owe us that
2. Cause then it implies that whomever he hires at OC was not his first choice and they face intense scrutiny

I have no idea if Simon wants to be an OC or not. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. The only people who know is him, Fleck and probably his family.
And if I don't want a job at the moment ... I might NOT want it out there that I told someone that ... later I might change my mind.

Seems just respectful not to give every guy's details.
 

Well that is probably best for him. (Simon) Maybe he needs to prove he can do it at a lower level before he takes over a Big Ten job.

Or maybe people on a message board care about it way more than he does...
Like prove himself at a lower level like Ben Johnson did on the basketball side 😆
 


I bet Fleck was so pissed. The feelings of abandonment, that his ego would dictate, I bet there were some nasty conversations that went on behind closed doors.

You think either side would ever admit that? Of course not.

I'm sure that PJ wasn't happy about him leaving. Especially to another conference team....but I'd assume that there is no bad blood. KC is one of the reasons that Fleck is where he is today. If he had left on bad terms....my guess is that he wouldn't be an option now.
 

I'm sure that PJ wasn't happy about him leaving. Especially to another conference team....but I'd assume that there is no bad blood. KC is one of the reasons that Fleck is where he is today. If he had left on bad terms....my guess is that he wouldn't be an option now.
I don't know what if anything the two feel about each other.

But PJ has said that coaches leaving / moving on is a reality and that it's a sign of a healthy program.

Bummed about it sure, but at the very least just leaving doesn't seem like something that would irk PJ.
 

Maybe Kirk had much more pressure behind the scenes from family. They are all in a different place two years later and he is committed to OC at MN.
I'm sure that PJ wasn't happy about him leaving. Especially to another conference team....but I'd assume that there is no bad blood. KC is one of the reasons that Fleck is where he is today. If he had left on bad terms....my guess is that he wouldn't be an option now.
 


1. Cause Fleck doesn't owe us that
2. Cause then it implies that whomever he hires at OC was not his first choice and they face intense scrutiny

I have no idea if Simon wants to be an OC or not. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. The only people who know is him, Fleck and probably his family.
Silly to think he doesn’t. You don’t actually. Just trying to be a contrarian to my contrarian.

Which is good.
 



Makes perfect sense.

He just did the OC for the Auburn bowl game, and accepted the promotions to passing-game coordinator and then co-OC, for no reason.
I am sure each title bumped his pay and helps his resume for when/if he moves on to somewhere else. So not no reason at all and doesn't change that fact that he might not be interested in the OC job.

Adding titles to assistant coaches has been used for a long time as a way to get them more money.
 

Is it really 'conflict' if it is 'in a good way' and they have nothing but good things to say about each other?
Yes, in a healthy organization you have conflict - that's not bad. You don't have people walking away from a meeting or conversation with things unsaid. KC is willing to do that with PJ, and as a leader you need people around you who will do that. My sense is PJ is willing to do that, and he needs people around him will do that as well. The team I am on argue all the time, and they have great things to say about one another. Pretty well researched aspect of organizational culture, and in writing that wasn't saying anything negative about the two of them - just the opposite, it's a good thing.
 
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