I guess this is where I am -
If Fleck wants to be "the most empathetic head coach in America," fine. He is the head coach and can set whatever goals for the program he wants to set.
My question is why this needs to be publicized. Is this going to help the team recruit better players? (I suppose that's possible) or win more games?
This is where Fleck becomes a rorschach test of sorts. Some people look at this, and they see Fleck setting standards for his program and improving the team's culture. Other people look at this, and they see Fleck promoting how "woke" he is and making it about himself and not about the team.
I just want to know who the bleep is going to start at WR and whether the run defense is going to be better. Screw empathy - give me a nose tackle who can control the line of scrimmage.
LOL! We wanted a transformative coach who can recruit and sell Gopher Football. I guess we can't shut his motor off.
A lot of it is PR. The more publicity, the more recruiting opportunities. He takes every opportunity to market the Gopher Brand seriously. He seizes and thrives on being a half and half guy. Half think he is far off flakey. The other half think he is the next best thing to slice bread.
There isn't a week especially during football season where you do not hear about Gopher Football. He gets National media attention. But, he had to work hard to achieve this.
He genuinely care about his players and about positive transformation.
In contrast, I was in Oklahoma on company assignment one week during the Barry Switzer era. There wasn't a single day or a sanctuary where you could escape the Sooner Schooner Blitz every single moment. It is like a religion down there - radio, TV, advertisement signs, people chatting about Sooner Football in flight, at Walmart, the gas station, at the On The Border Restaurant.
The hope is that when the Gophers win a title someday, the rest of the football world will take the Gopher Football seriously.
That is the fair standard for success for any coach. Until then, we have to keep listening and hoping.