Minnesota expected to hire P.J. Fleck as its new football coach

By Bruce Feldman, Bruce Feldman

Published January 31, 2017

Nov 27, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach P.J. Fleck pumps his fist during the first quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Glass Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Western Michigan's P.J. Fleck is expected to become the new Minnesota head coach, a source told FOX Sports on Friday. The two sides are working to finalize the deal today.

The 36-year-old Fleck, a former NFL wide receiver from Northern Illinois, led the Broncos to the Cotton Bowl and a 13-1 season. He would replace Tracy Claeys, who was fired earlier this week.

Western Michigan went on quite a rise under Fleck, a Greg Schiano protege. The Broncos went 1-11 in his debut season in 2013 but then jumped to back-to-back eight-win seasons before winning the MAC and cracking the Top 15 in 2016.

Fleck's "Row the Boat" mantra became well known throughout college football, as did his high-energy style.

Fleck had been the Gophers' top target for the vacancy all along, multiple sources told FOX Sports.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/minnesota-expected-to-hire-p-j-fleck-as-its-new-football-coach