In 2016, P.J. Fleck went 2-1 against the B1G (wins at Northwestern, Illinois before a loss to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl). In 2017, as the new leader of the Minnesota football program, he’ll have the chance to see if he can maintain, or even improve that 67% winning percentage in the league.
According to official statements issued by both schools, Fleck now leaves his post at Western Michigan to become the next Head Minnesota football coach. From an entertainment value stand point, this is an upgrade so tremendous that it’s difficult to put into words.
Getting to talk to P.J. Fleck instead of Tracy Claeys at Big Ten Media Days is maybe the biggest upgrade in the history of earth.
— Ryan Ginn (@rmginn) January 6, 2017
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Minnesota football will give P.J. Fleck “a five-year, $18.5 million contract and is sending a plane to Kalamazoo, Mich., to bring him to campus Friday, sources close to the negotiations said. A 3 p.m. press conference at TCF Bank Stadium has been scheduled.”
Both schools have confirmed the news on Twitter. Also, it’s not confirmed as of now, but the Fleck product rollout at 3 today will most likely be televised on BTN. It will be fun times, with a lot of LOUD NOISES!! and YELLING!!!
FOOTBALL COACHES!!!!!!! Take a look at his Cotton Bowl pregame speech, in which he literally said.
“You know what trail blazers do?
“They blaze trails for other people to become elite!”
No matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, if you ask P.J. Fleck how he’s doing, he’ll respond with: “I’m doing ELITE!!!”
One area where Fleck has indeed shown himself to be elite, is in values.On the weekend before the 2016 season started, two WMU players were arrested on charges of armed robbery.
P.J. Fleck indefinitely suspended the two players from the team upon first hearing the news. When more information surrounding the alleged crimes became available, he kicked the duo off the team.
More importantly, Fleck took complete ownership and control of the situation. His comments showcase exactly what it means to 1.) be a true disciplinarian and 2.) be accountable as the CEO of his college football program.
He took decisive action, and then said everything that needed to be said.
That is exactly what Minnesota football needs right now. The program is currently reeling from a sexual assault investigation, and the Gophers made headlines for all the wrong reasons, in the build-up to the Holiday Bowl, due to Minnesota football players threatening to potentially boycott the game.
That decision was controversial to say the least, and the manner in which Claeys handled it was tone-deaf and lazy to say the least. This tweet was a bone-headed decision, and borderline insubordinate:
Have never been more proud of our kids. I respect their rights & support their effort to make a better world! ???
— Tracy Claeys (@t_claeys) December 16, 2016
Cleays certainly never came off as the sharpest knife in the drawer at B1G Media Days, and his handling of this situation was not optimal. It wasn’t the entire reason he was dismissed, but it gave Minnesota football the opening they needed to make this move.
What a move it is too! The Sugar Grove Illinois native and Northern Illinois alum gives Minnesota football much more star power and high character standing than they had under Claeys.
The addition of Fleck to the B1G West also makes the annual meeting between Northwestern and Minnesota much more meaningful, as Fleck modeled himself after NU Coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Minnesota football visits Northwestern November 18th.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.