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

[Rick]

Minnesota Gophers finish TOP 10 in the final AP Poll...

[Rick]

In PJ Fleck's AFCA speech he mentioned that the Gophers beat an Auburn team with 58 recruits who were 4*. How many for MN? 5. Alabama Rollovers even more.

 

Those 4* comparison numbers are true (and were pretty much the same for Penn State's roster, too).

 

PJ has improved recruiting: we've moved from a point where we now get higher rated 3 stars, and our floor (at mid-level 3 stars) has also been raised.

 

The Gophers, however, are still a few years away from classes loaded with 4* players.

 

So, here's the deal, whether you like PJ or not: He has taken a team of well-selected 3* star players, augmented by a few key 4* (Coughlin, Bateman, Faalale and Dunlap) and molded them into a well-coached, synchronous team that easily stays with and/or beats the teams comprised of 4* (and 5*) players.

 

He is an inspirational coach who gets the absolute most out of his players.

 

You don't have to like PJ, but I find it really hard to understand how folks can't respect him and the Minnesota  Golden Gophers for the results he has already achieved.

 

He is great at finding undervalued talent and at "coaching up" talent--just like Auburn and Alabama plagued by "coaching down" talent.

[CJH]

2 hours ago, Rick said:

In PJ Fleck's AFCA speech he mentioned that the Gophers beat an Auburn team with 58 recruits who were 4*. How many for MN? 5. Alabama Rollovers even more.

 

Those 4* comparison numbers are true (and were pretty much the same for Penn State's roster, too).

 

PJ has improved recruiting: we've moved from a point where we now get higher rated 3 stars, and our floor (at mid-level 3 stars) has also been raised.

 

The Gophers, however, are still a few years away from classes loaded with 4* players.

 

So, here's the deal, whether you like PJ or not: He has taken a team of well-selected 3* star players, augmented by a few key 4* (Coughlin, Bateman, Faalale and Dunlap) and molded them into a well-coached, synchronous team that easily stays with and/or beats the teams comprised of 4* (and 5*) players.

 

He is an inspirational coach who gets the absolute most out of his players.

 

You don't have to like PJ, but I find it really hard to understand how folks like can't respect him and the Minnesota  Golden Gophers for the results he has already achieved.

 

He is great at finding undervalued talent and at "coaching up" talent--just like Auburn and Alabama plagued by "coaching down" talent.

 

Whether you like him or hate him, you cannot deny the positive buzz he has generated.  People actually paid attention this year, even in this over saturated & negative market.

 

As far as recruiting goes, Midwest recruits are always under-rated/valued.  But as we have seen in the past, how you coach and develop them is arguably more important than anything.

Edited January 15, 2020 by CJH

[IceHawk]

Fleck is the best thing to happen to the Gophers in a long time. A very motivated inspirational leader that gets the most out of his players. Attititude is the reflection of leadership and you can see it in his players. The gophers are definitely headed in the right direction and recruiting top tier athletes will defiantely start becoming more in the future. 

[gim]

I need a bigger sample size.  One good season does not represent a pattern.  This program is notorious for taking a step forward and then taking two steps back.  Prove it with long term consistency over a longer period of time.

Edited January 16, 2020 by gimruis

[Rick]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I need a bigger sample size.  One good season does not represent a pattern.  This program is notorious for taking a step forward and then taking two steps back.  Prove it with long term consistency over a longer period of time.

That's where we differ. Your needs say more about you than they do the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Think about that for a second. I do understand your thinking though @gimruis.

 

I intend to enjoy the past two years of sample size along with PJs Western Michigan sample size.

 

He took "Western Michigan" to the Cotton Bowl!!! WESTERN MICHIGAN...LET THAT SINK IN.

 

They Beat Wisconsin Last Year!! Really loved that. How long has it been since we had the Axe?

 

They beat Penn State and Auburn this year. Ranked 10th in the Nation and enjoyed it.

 

They went 11-2...

YES, THEIR RECORD WAS 11-2!!! And that in only Fleck's 3rd season here.

 

End the year Ranked 10th in the nation...and you're still not happy? I am!

 

Yes, agreed, they do have more hurdles, no doubt. But....

 

Don't need more of a sample size to know these aren't the same old Gophers. Nor do the head coaches and teams in the B1G 10....Nor do a number of higher rated recruits!

[gim]

I still need to see it happen longer.  Like for 10+  years longer, not just another year or two.  The only thing that will convince me of your argument is if they do that over a long period of time.  Ya its great that they improved in the second half of last season and that carried throughout this season.  The fact that they're beating the teams now that they routinely lost to is an improvement in its own right.  I'm not disputing any of that.  Bear in mind I am not a Gophers football fan - I am simply a football fan in general.  So I'm looking at this through a transparent lens of neutrality.

 

Let's take a look at what makes their two biggest rivals, Iowa and Wisconsin, consistent over a long period of time: the one constant is the same coaching staff.  Ferrentz has been at Iowa for how long.  They are nationally ranked almost every season.  Alvarez (UW AD), Bielema, and Chryst were all on the staff and have provided Wisconsin with a routinely nationally ranked team for about 15 years now, in addition to several berths in the Rose Bowl.  Constantly cycling through coaches is not good for a program unless you are a juggernaut program by name (like Ohio State).  If Fleck is that guy, so be it.

Edited January 16, 2020 by gimruis

[Rick]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I still need to see it happen longer.  Like for 10+  years longer, not just another year or two.  The only thing that will convince me of your argument is if they do that over a long period of time.  Ya its great that they improved in the second half of last season and that carried throughout this season.  The fact that they're beating the teams now that they routinely lost to is an improvement in its own right.  I'm not disputing any of that.  Bear in mind I am not a Gophers football fan - I am simply a football fan in general.  So I'm looking at this through a transparent lens of neutrality.

 

Let's take a look at what makes their two biggest rivals, Iowa and Wisconsin, consistent over a long period of time: the one constant is the same coaching staff.  Ferrentz has been at Iowa for how long.  They are nationally ranked almost every season.  Alvarez (UW AD), Bielema, and Chryst were all on the staff and have provided Wisconsin with a routinely nationally ranked team for about 15 years now, in addition to several berths in the Rose Bowl.  Constantly cycling through coaches is not good for a program unless you are a juggernaut program by name (like Ohio State).  If Fleck is that guy, so be it.

 

LOL.... you can wait 10 years to enjoy it if you want.

 

You being neutral gives you no special or better opinion on the program.

 

I choose to enjoy it now and as it comes along because I am and have been a life long transparent Gophers fan.

[DonkeyHodey]

 

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I still need to see it happen longer.

I don't!

 

As a comparison, When I'm shooting baskets and I throw up 50 three pointers and totally airball 'em, you can bet I'm gonna scream and yell when I finally somehow sink a basket.  It's about stinkin' time!  Please don't start telling me I gotta make 10 in a row, first!  I know my little basket is pathetic compared to Steph Curry (Wisconsin?) or Larry Bird (?Iowa), but Come on!  Rejoice with me!  High five?

 

(A two-loss season when the losses were to Iowa and Wisconsin does hurt, but, dude, we beat Auburn!  And undefeated Penn State!  Swish and Swish!  Hey Nebraska, how you like getting yer corn-husked for a change?  Swish again!)

2 hours ago, Rick said:

I choose to enjoy it now and as it comes along because I am and have been a life long transparent Gophers fan.

High five!  WOOO!!!

Run Rickey Foggie!

[SkunkedAgain]

PJ Fleck was an undersized, over-achiever with a big motor. I think that he looks for the guys with the same qualities because they can relate.

[Rick]

2 hours ago, SkunkedAgain said:

PJ Fleck was an undersized, over-achiever with a big motor. I think that he looks for the guys with the same qualities because they can relate.

Ummm...hmmmmm...

Minnesota offensive lineman Daniel Faalele is still learning football, but at 6'9" and 400 pounds...he's not undersized. If he is, I like that kind on the Gophers line.

 

Maybe PJ just likes over-achievers with a big motor because they can relate? Ya think!!!