Hello PJ Fleck.....Bye Bye Tracy Claeys

[Rick]

After watching what happened with Iowa and Penn State I just didn't like what I was seeing.

 

What do you think and who is a good candidate to fill our coaching vacancy?

[ANYFISH2]

I liked the staff more than Cleays. Unfortunately they are probably all gone

 

[Rick]

Yayyyyy.... the Gophers hired PJ Fleck out of Western Michigan to head up their Football Program.

 

For those of you who don't know he won the MAC and led little know Western Michigan to the Cotton Bowl where they played Wisconsin.

Here is more on him: 

 

http://www.si.com/college-football/2017/01/06/pj-fleck-minnesota-golden-gophers-coach

 

This year, he drew interest from Purdue, Houston and Cincinnati but declined to interview with all of them as he was hoping to pursue a better job. Both Rutgers and Syracuse reached out to Fleck last year, but he declined to pursue those jobs.

 

Fleck, 36, led Western Michigan to bowl games in each of the past three seasons. He’s earned a reputation as a prolific recruiter, bringing in the best class in the MAC the past three seasons and frequently beating low-tier Big Ten schools for prospects. Fleck’s upcoming 2017 recruiting class ranks No. 38 nationally, more than 20 spots ahead of any other program outside the Power 5 conferences. (Minnesota ranks No. 67, one of five teams in the Big Ten West that trail Western Michigan in the recruiting rankings.)

[CJH]

Its never dull in Dinkytown.  He's a "Get", I didn't think the U had a shot.  Supposedly he can recruit and coach em' up, so we will see what happens.  

 

Regardless of what happened on and off the field with Claeys, it sounds like the AD + Pres were very disappointed in the ticket sales and fundraising for the new sports complex.  Plus with a lackluster recruiting class, they decided to pull the trigger.  We have season tickets and attendance was obviously down this year, which really shouldn't have happened considering they had a solid if unspectacular season.  

[Rick]

I agree. Claeys didn't have the energy needed to recruit and coach a full 4 quarters.

PJ Fleck SKI-U-MAH

 

[Rick]

Fleck stole Ohio States co-offensive coordinator and rising star Coach Warrener to be the MN Gophers offensive line coach.

[ANYFISH2]

Good start.

Can he please find us a better than average QB, please!

[Rick]

PJ, is looking good at 8-0. Penn State is coming to town ranked 5th and the Gophers are ranked 13th. Especially when Nebraska was the darling pick to win the BIG10 West. Along with Iowa and Wisconsin. 

 

It would be amazing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers to pull this upset off!

 

I predict a Gophers 2 point win.

 

What do you think?  Your prediction please?

[Kettle]

If they can go 3-1 or 2-2 in their next four games I'd be impressed. Obviously Penn State is the most daunting of the four games but Iowa and Wisconsin will be tough games as well. 

[gim]

They really haven't beaten anyone good yet this season.  But in the past, they have lost to the teams they are beating this year, so there is progression.

[fishingstar]

that is true they have not beaten anyone yet this year. but in the past they would have gotten beat by one or two of that type of team.

[Rick]

For you Negative Nellies...Not only are they 8-0 but they've beaten B1G10 opponents in a fashion that earns a #13 National Ranking❤. 

[Sculpin]

And if they don't give Fleck a hefty extension, he will be down the road...Florida is already inquiring. He has the program going in a positive direction, academically, athletically, and from a social  responsibility standpoint. Hope they get it done..  

[fishingstar]

P.J. Fleck agrees to seven-year contract extension

[Rick]

Sweet. Lock this guy in to build a dynasty. He's only on year 3.

[Kettle]

65% guarantee money and buy out clauses of 10 million this year, 4 million next year and 3 million the following year. He starts at a salary of 4.6 million which presumably increases in subsequent years. Will be interesting to see if he stays this entirety or if he does well will he re-establish his contract again. Either way it's nice to see them beating teams that in the past gave them troubles. Really wish they would have played NDSU this year

[Rick]

This game can be seen on channel 5. Two undefeated 8-0 and Nationally ranked teams battle it out at TCF stadium at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

 

I predict a great game and the Gophers win this one becoming a huge part of the National football conversation.

 

Ski-U-Mah

Row the Boat

[Rick]

Gophers 7 Penn St 0

[Rick]

Gophers 14 Penn St. 7

[Rick]

Gophers 21 Penn St. 10

[Rick]

Gophers 24 Penn St 10

[Tom Sawyer]

Gophers 31 Lions 19

[Rick]

Gophers 31 Penn St 19

[eyeguy 54]

Fun game

[Rick]

Minnesota wins 31-26

[Rick]

Click it...

[Rick]

Minnesota Golden Gophers ranked 7th in the AP poll.

[Rick]

PJ Fleck's Gophers vs. Saban's Crimson Tide? Signs point to Minnesota bowl against the gold standard.

 

It looks like Minnesota remains pegged for the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day bowl in Tampa, Fla.

 

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura saw the Crimson Tide’s fall to 12th, looked ahead and tweeted: “The rankings this week set up a strong possibility that 10-2 Baylor could wind up in the (‘New Year’s Six’ bowls, likely the Cotton) ahead of 10-2 Alabama. Auburn (then goes to the Citrus and Alabama to the Outback Bowl.”

 

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm also has Baylor in the “New Year’s Six” top tier of bowls, as does Stadium’s Brett McMurphy, who slot:

 Minnesota vs. Alabama.

 

How about that wild prospect? The Gophers might draw a dynastic Alabama program.

 

https://www.twincities.com/2019/12/03/gophers-fall-in-ranking-doesnt-alter-bowl-outlook-but-might-mean-alabama-matchup/

[Rick]

On 1/10/2017 at 5:42 PM, ANYFISH2 said:

Good start.

Can he please find us a better than average QB, please!

Tanner Morgan 2nd Team All Big Ten, right behind Ohio State's Fields.

[Rick]

Gophers Spank Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.

 

We should have had Alabama in the Outback but they decided to send a weak Michigan team to give them an easy win.