Tag: pj fleck

Minnesota football unveils new-look uniform for eventual rivalry loss to Wisconsin

Reaction to Minnesota’s new uniform?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers unveiled their new-look uniforms for the 2024 season.

Editors Note: the Gophers’ new uniforms will be worn by the 2024 team before another eventual rivalry loss to Wisconsin in the final week of the season.

Related: ESPN FPI ranks college football’s top 25 toughest 2024 schedules

The program opted for a new design after wearing their previous uniforms for the past six seasons. It must be noted that the Badgers went 3-3 against the Golden Gophers over the last six years, that after a 14-game win streak from 2004-2017.

P.J. Fleck’s team enters the 2024 season ranked No. 61 in ESPN FPI and No. 45 in ESPN SP+. The team is likely to be better than the 2023 group, but a gauntlet schedule has the season outlook not looking much different than last year’s 6-7 finish.

Related: The 10 pre-Luke Fickell Wisconsin players set to start for the 2024 Badgers

Much of the progression will rest on the shoulders of New Hampshire transfer quarterback Max Brosmer. A great season from him could return the Golden Gopher offense to its 2019 level, or at least improve upon its recent output with Athan Kaliakmanis under center. Again, the tough schedule makes a big ascension extremely unlikely.

Wisconsin and Minnesota will play their annual rivalry game on Black Friday in 2024. The game is scheduled to kick off at noon Eastern, 11 a.m. Central and will be broadcast on CBS.

Luke Fickell is 1-0 against the Gophers after a dominant win last season. He’ll look to start a series winning streak this season — that against a new-look Minnesota team (at least uniform-wise).

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Wisconsin football working to flip Minnesota’s top class of 2025 commit

Wisconsin football working to flip Minnesota’s top class of 2025 commit

Wisconsin is working to flip top Minnesota class of 2025 commit Emmanuel Karmo. The Badgers have an official scheduled with the four-star linebacker for May 31, one week before he officially visits the Gophers.

Karmo’s four visits are Wisconsin on May 31, Minnesota on June 7, Ohio State on June 14 and Nebraska on June 21.

Related: Updated 2024 Wisconsin football game-by-game predictions after spring practice

Karmo is 247Sports’ No. 341 player in the class of 2025, No. 36 linebacker and No. 1 recruit from the state of Minnesota. He committed to the Gophers back on April 12. But the linebacker also holds notable offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Wisconsin.

The linebacker noted that he is still ‘proudly committed to the Gophers’ though will still ‘explore all options.’

The Badgers will have Karmo on campus during one of the busiest official visit weekends of the year as they work to flip his commitment.

The program’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 16 in the nation with 11 players committed. It has commitments from three linebackers: three-star Samuel Lateju, three-star Brenden Anes and three-star Cooper Catalano.

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What is cooking in the recruitment of Wilnerson Telemaque? Florida three-star talks Colorado, LSU

Wilnerson Telemaque has several official visits planned.

Wilnerson Telemaque is seeing his recruitment continue to heat up, this following an impressive weekend at the Rivals Camp in Miami.

A three-star defensive lineman from Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, Florida), Telemaque had 16 total tackles and three sacks in eight games last year.

He recently announced a top six of Colorado, Florida, LSU, Minnesota, Missouri and West Virginia

Telemaque will definitely be taking official visits to LSU, Minnesota and West Virginia. He said he is looking “for a school to develop me for the next level.”

Colorado is one of the programs that is trending well, Telemaque says, and he cites the impact of head coach Deion Sanders in his recruitment.

“Being able to be coached by an NFL Hall of Famer is always going to be something special,” Telemaque told USA TODAY High School Sports.

“Also knowing that it is a program that is rebuilding. If Coach Prime stays there, I feel like they will be a contender for a national championship and they’ll get guys ready for the NFL.”

LSU is trending well in Telemaque’s recruitment. Brian Kelly, now in his third year as head coach at LSU, has made Telemaque feel like a priority.

The entire staff at LSU has left this impression on Telemaque, who also says that the incoming 2025 recruiting class has caught his attention as well.

“I feel like our relationship has always been good since they’ve known me since earlier when they were at their other schools,” Telemaque said.

“It is one of the top schools in the country. They have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country I think. Bryce Underwood and Dakorien Moore are top guys to play with.”

One school that may be a surprise to see in Telemaque’s recruitment is Minnesota. The Big Ten program historically recruits Florida hard and that includes their efforts in trying to land Telemaque.

Head coach P.J. Fleck has left an impression on Telemaque so far.

“I feel like Minnesota, that staff connection with P.J. Fleck is strong,” Telemaque said.

“It is a program that a lot of people aren’t talking about them as much but I feel like they have one of the top defensive line staffs in the country.”

But as good of a football player as Telemque is, he says he has a hidden talent that not many people outside his inner circle known about.

“I’m really a better cook than a football player,” Telemaque said.

“Specialty – I’m good with ribs, I’m good with anything with chicken, mac and cheese and stuff like that. Now we have a smoker at the house.”

He said the smoker might make its way to his next college destination.

Minnesota just gave head coach P.J. Fleck … a raise?

Minnesota just gave head coach P.J. Fleck … a raise?

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported first on Friday afternoon that Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck “receives contract amendment with increased salary pool for assistant coaches and staff and an additional annual bonus for Fleck.”

In other words, Minnesota gave Fleck a raise after a 6-7 2023 season.

Related: Breakout candidates for Wisconsin football 2024 spring practice

This news comes somewhat on the heels of Fleck’s name being tossed when the UCLA head coaching job was open. It isn’t a stretch to assume some of the public posturing, through proper channels, could have been for Fleck to gain leverage to ask for more assistant money and a raise.

Minnesota’s 6-7 2023 season is the program’s second sub-500 season under Fleck; it went 3-4 during the COVID-19 season of 2020. Fleck is 50-34 since taking over in 2017, though he failed to ever win the Big Ten West.

The Golden Gophers project as one of the worst teams in the Big Ten in 2024 with a Las Vegas win total of 4.5.

Wisconsin and Minnesota are scheduled to meet in their usual end-of-season slot, though this time without the existence of the Big Ten West.

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Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck addresses UCLA rumors

Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck addresses UCLA rumors

The college football coaching carousel took another turn last week.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien left for the head coaching job at Boston College — that only a few weeks after leaving the NFL for the Buckeyes’ job. The Eagles’ job was open because former head coach Jeff Hafley previously left to take the Packers defensive coordinator job.

Then, UCLA head coach Chip Kelly swiftly took O’Brien’s old post with the Buckeyes. The move made waves, especially given Kelly’s pedigree as a head coach and the current state of coaching in college football.

Related: Win totals released for Wisconsin, every Big Ten team in 2024 football season

This recent movement now leaves UCLA without a head coach as it transitions into the Big Ten alongside Oregon, Washington and USC.

As is often the case with coaching movement, insiders were quick to release their big boards for the Bruins’ next coach. Stadium’s Brett McMurphy’s first name was a fellow Big Ten head coach — Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck.

Fleck appeared to address these rumors on ‘X’ last night, writing that he’s ‘honored to be the Head Football Coach at Minnesota.’

Fleck is entering his eighth season at Minnesota and coming off one of his worst. The Golden Gophers went 6-7 last year with a 3-6 record in the Big Ten. His program never won the Big Ten West during its existence, and things are about to get tougher in the new era of the conference.

With the polarizing head coach seemingly staying in Minneapolis, Minnesota, other potential candidates include former Stanford head coach David Shaw, UCLA running backs coach DeShaun Foster, Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford and Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White.

UCLA must act swiftly with spring practice fast approaching.

UCLA bringing coaching instability to Big Ten upon arrival

Big Ten coaching chaos breaks out as Chip Kelly jets out of UCLA to be the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

While Oregon is coming to the Big Ten with big hopes and dreams of success in 2024, Washington is coming in off an appearance in the national championship, and USC hopes for a bit of a rebound season, the UCLA Bruins are coming in looking like a bit of a dumpster fire by comparison. Nothing could possibly drive that point home than what transpired this week with the football program.

Chip Kelly left his position as head coach of the UCLA football program to take on the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State, a new Big Ten opponent for the Bruins. Kelly will take over the role that was supposed to be filled by Bill O’Brien after the former Penn State head coach took off after about a month in Columbus to become the next head coach at Boston College. O’Brien’s quick move to become a head coach is far from shocking given his drive and goals as a football coach. That much makes sense. But Kelly leaving UCLA as a head coach to be an offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes is eye-opening.

Or, at least it should be for UCLA.

Kelly had been the head coach of UCLA since 2018. His hiring was thought by some to be the near-perfect blend to bring UCLA back to some national relevancy, or at least compete for a PAC-12 title the way he experienced success at Oregon. UCLA never followed through on the mission to support its football program the way it was needed to keep up with the college football powers and the Bruins remained an average or slightly above average football program during Kelly’s time as head coach. UCLA is coming off an 8-5 season a year after a 9-4 season. That has been the high bar for the UCLA program, and it had become clear Kelly was growing more and more frustrated with the situation.

Kelly voluntarily leaving UCLA at this point in the calendar to take on a lesser role for a new conference foe is telling. UCLA has squandered their opportunities for years with a lack of financial support for a thriving football program that has remained in the shadows of rival USC far more often than not.

UCLA is not exactly coming into the Big Ten flying high. They are the baggage that has to come with the additions of USC, Oregon, and Washignton despite being invited before Oregon and Washington were extended invites to the Big Ten. Here’s hoping UCLA figures this out soon so they can be a fun and worthwhile addition to the conference. If they don’t, Big Ten teams will be making trips to a southern California with a giant tarp over one end of the historic Rose Bowl Stadium for years to come, and that’s just not a good look for anyone.

Now the UCLA coaching search will be one to watch, because there is some potential for the right coach to come in and inject some much-needed life into the program. And one coaching candidate that has been mentioned could come from another Big Ten program. PJ Fleck of Minnesota has been mentioned as a top candidate for the job, and who could blame Fleck for rowing out of Minnesota to to UCLA if the opportunity arises?

The good news for Penn State is this is one LA job where James Franklin is not being mentioned as a candidate. Remember all of those USC rumors we have had to deal with? UCLA literally cannot afford that kind of move.

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UCLA coaching search: P.J. Fleck’s name surfaces as a candidate to replace Chip Kelly

Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Chip Kelly.

The UCLA Bruins are officially undergoing a coaching search. Finally, after plenty of NFL OC rumors, Chip Kelly is leaving UCLA and is becoming the new OC at Ohio State following Bill O’Brien’s departure to Boston College.

It has sent a whirlwind around Westwood, although fans recently called for Martin Jarmond to move on from Kelly after losing out on Keona Wilhite.

Social media is having a field day, and rightfully so, with Kelly moving on but “staying” in the Big Ten Conference.

Where does UCLA go from here? Well, one name has popped up as a strong candidate: Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck.

Report: P.J. Fleck may leave Minnesota for another Big Ten job

This would be hilarious…

The coaching carousel chairs never seem to stop turning in college football. It’s Feb. 9, yet coaches are taking other jobs as if its the middle of bowl season.

The changes on Friday are significant to Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten landscape. First, Ohio State offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien took the Boston College opening. Then, it was reported that current UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is leaving to take the Ohio State OC job.

Related: Where Wisconsin Badgers stand in first expanded Big Ten 2024 recruiting rankings

The moves leave UCLA without a head coach. That prompted Stadium’s Brett McMurphy to offer:”Expect Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck among UCLA’s top candidates.”

Fleck made headlines early at Minnesota, peaking with an 11-2 2019 season. The program went south in 2023 as the Gophers went 6-7 and failed again to win a very winnable Big Ten West.

Minnesota can’t do much better than Fleck given its place in the college football ecosystem, but perhaps the veteran head coach is looking for a fresh start.

From a Wisconsin perspective, it would be a hilarious move to see happen. Fleck would remain in the conference and still play the Badgers, but this time do so in Los Angeles — a place it feels like he would fit in perfectly.

Wisconsin kept Minnesota at five wins … but the Gophers are still bowl eligible?

Wisconsin kept Minnesota at five wins … but the Gophers are still bowl eligible?

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

When Wisconsin reclaimed Paul Bunyan’s Axe yesterday with its dominant 28-14 win over rival Minnesota, a subscript from the game was the Golden Gophers finishing the season at 5-7 and missing a bowl game.

Not that the game needed any more juice or importance in the eyes of the Wisconsin football program and its fans. But with Minnesota entering yesterday at 5-6, the opportunity to keep a rival from playing in a bowl game was an attractive one. And Wisconsin appeared to do exactly that.

For context, the Gophers sat 5-3 just over a month ago. Then a collapse ensued with losses to Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State and now Wisconsin. That program needed a win yesterday in the worst way, and could not get one.

In any normal year, Minnesota’s season would be over. But somehow, the Golden Gophers are going to a bowl game anyway.

That’s right. Minnesota has the highest APR, or Academic Progress Rate, of the five-win teams. So despite a horrible month and forgettable season, the Gophers get to experience all the benefits of bowl season because the program is good at academics.

There’s that side of it. There’s also how the spot opened up, which happened between Hawaii and Colorado State late last night:

The last-second field goal kept Colorado State at five wins, which meant there would be 81 of the 82 required bowl-eligible teams.

This is not the news any of us expected to wake up to. File this under the unexpected twists and turns of college football.

Wisconsin vs Minnesota: How to watch, streaming info and players to watch

Wisconsin vs Minnesota: How to watch, streaming info and players to watch

Wisconsin and Minnesota are set for a high-stakes battle to close the 2023 regular season.

No, the Big Ten West title is not on the line — Iowa already has that wrapped up. But Saturday’s game will decide bowl eligibility for the 5-6 Golden Gophers, and could be a fine exclamation point for Luke Fickell on what has been a disappointing first season.

The all-time series is tied 62-62-8, with Minnesota having won three of the last five contests. With both teams wrapping up disappointing years, this game’s importance is as magnified as ever.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s battle for the Axe:

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: FS1
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

 

Players to watch:

Minnesota: QB Athan Kaliakmanis, RB Darius Taylor, WR Daniel Jackson, TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, S Tyler Nubin, DB Jack Henderson, CB Tre’Von Jones

Wisconsin: QB Tanner Mordecai, RB Braelon Allen, WR Will Pauling, ILB Maema Njongmeta and K Nathanial Vakos