BleedGopher
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per Shama:
Will Golden Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle extend football coach P.J. Fleck’s contract after yesterday’s stunning and potential program changing 37-15 upset of Wisconsin?
I asked Coyle about an extension earlier this month and he was noncommittal, answering that he will address the subject later this year after more evaluation. Coyle hired Fleck in January of 2017 and in November of last year extended the coach’s contract one year through 2023.
While contract extensions provide more security to coaches and are a reward for good work, they are often for public perception too—sending a message to potential high school recruits that an athletic director is solidly behind his coach. Adding on another year to Fleck’s deal certainly meets the criteria described here.
From the outside looking in, earlier this month Fleck’s program was gloomy as the weather that contributed to embarrassingly small crowds for home games against Indiana, Purdue and Northwestern. Three weeks ago lowly Illinois humiliated the Gophers 55-31, gashing the defense with long runs and coming up with 646 total yards. The loss left Minnesota with a 1-5 Big Ten record and no more “softies” remaining on the schedule to make bowl eligibility likely.
Minnesota rallied, though, winning two of its last three games to finish with a 6-6 overall record and an invitation coming soon for a bowl game. Fleck had the wisdom to fire defensive coordinator Robb Smith after the Illinois game and named Joe Rossi as his replacement. Since then Minnesota has improved dramatically on defense while defeating Purdue 41-10, losing to Northwestern 24-14 and beating Wisconsin while giving up only two touchdowns including one late in the game.
Those wins in the last three games are the most impressive and significant in the Fleck era. Purdue is the only team to defeat 11-1 Ohio State, the Big Ten’s best program. While the Gophers could have played better, they made a competitive game out of their November 17 matchup with Northwestern, the Big Ten West Division champions. Against Wisconsin Fleck and the Gophers earned that signature win they have been pursuing for two years.
http://shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!
Will Golden Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle extend football coach P.J. Fleck’s contract after yesterday’s stunning and potential program changing 37-15 upset of Wisconsin?
I asked Coyle about an extension earlier this month and he was noncommittal, answering that he will address the subject later this year after more evaluation. Coyle hired Fleck in January of 2017 and in November of last year extended the coach’s contract one year through 2023.
While contract extensions provide more security to coaches and are a reward for good work, they are often for public perception too—sending a message to potential high school recruits that an athletic director is solidly behind his coach. Adding on another year to Fleck’s deal certainly meets the criteria described here.
From the outside looking in, earlier this month Fleck’s program was gloomy as the weather that contributed to embarrassingly small crowds for home games against Indiana, Purdue and Northwestern. Three weeks ago lowly Illinois humiliated the Gophers 55-31, gashing the defense with long runs and coming up with 646 total yards. The loss left Minnesota with a 1-5 Big Ten record and no more “softies” remaining on the schedule to make bowl eligibility likely.
Minnesota rallied, though, winning two of its last three games to finish with a 6-6 overall record and an invitation coming soon for a bowl game. Fleck had the wisdom to fire defensive coordinator Robb Smith after the Illinois game and named Joe Rossi as his replacement. Since then Minnesota has improved dramatically on defense while defeating Purdue 41-10, losing to Northwestern 24-14 and beating Wisconsin while giving up only two touchdowns including one late in the game.
Those wins in the last three games are the most impressive and significant in the Fleck era. Purdue is the only team to defeat 11-1 Ohio State, the Big Ten’s best program. While the Gophers could have played better, they made a competitive game out of their November 17 matchup with Northwestern, the Big Ten West Division champions. Against Wisconsin Fleck and the Gophers earned that signature win they have been pursuing for two years.
http://shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!
