With many of college football’s top coaching names changing locations in the past two seasons — highlighted by Lincoln Riley going from Oklahoma to USC, but let’s also not understate the impact Jeff Brohm leaving Purdue will have on both the Big Ten and ACC — it’s somewhat rare that a successful, well-known and popular coach is staying put.
No, P.J. Fleck isn’t Nick Saban and it’s not even close, but he’s led the Minnesota Golden Gophers to winning seasons in four of his six campaigns in Minneapolis and he’s 3-0 in bowl games. Throw in an energetic persona and decent success on the recruiting trail and it’s safe to say that Fleck is the real deal as a college football coach.
He could probably have his pick of jobs if he wanted to hit the open market, but the Golden Gophers likely knew that and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Fleck and Minnesota came to an agreement on a contract extension that will keep him with the program through the 2029 season. Financial terms aren’t yet available, but you best bet the Golden Gophers paid Fleck pretty darn good to live through the harsh realities of winter up north for the next seven years.
“This is all about cultural sustainability,” Fleck said in a statement released on the team website. “We have talked about that from day one, and this new contract is a commitment to continuing to change our best academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. It is also a commitment to our elite staff and our tremendous fans. During the last six years, we have been able to do some amazing things at Minnesota, some of which have not been accomplished in more than 115 years. It is a tremendous honor to lead this football program, and our goal is to compete for championships every year. We are so grateful to the Board of Regents, President Joan Gabel, Mark Coyle and our staff for allowing us to do so. Heather and I and our family love living here and we are excited to continue on this journey with the entire state of Minnesota.”
Fleck led the Golden Gophers to an 8-4 regular season in 2022 and they’ll play Syracuse later this month in the Pinstripe Bowl.
As it stands, his overall record for Minnesota is 43-27.
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