College football insider Brett McMurphy reported Friday that he, “Expect[s] Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck among UCLA’s top candidates,” for their recently open head coach position. This news comes after longtime Bruins head man Chip Kelly accepted the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State. The fact that a Big Ten head coach left for an OC role at a different school in the conference is a whole different story, but McMurphy mentioned only one name to replace him and that was Fleck.
Any fan of Gophers football knows that PJ Fleck has been rumored for numerous other positions almost since the moment he arrived at Minnesota. This certainly could just be another bargaining tool for his agent to get a raise for his client. But in this changing modern-world of college athletics, I don’t think you can rule anything out.
Why he would stay:
I personally believe the entire Chip Kelly situation is more of an indictment on UCLA athletic department and where they currently sit as a program. Kelly has been rumored for 5+ different jobs this offseason, he was reported to be gone midway through last season, but Bruins AD Martin Jarmond opted to hold put and instead of getting a head start on the hiring cycle he will now have to scramble in early February to make a hire as the school enters a new era in a new conference. For all of those reasons, I could see the situation looking far to chaotic for Fleck, therefore he opts to remain in Dinkytown.
On top of the mess that the program seems, Fleck has built Minnesota into a program that expects to go to a bowl game every season. UCLA has been at a similar 6-8 win expectation for the last decade, so while they’re entering the Big Ten, is it really that much better of a job? Fleck reiterates that he loves Minnesota and everything about his position, but any fan of college sports should know that is just coach speak until a better opportunity comes around. Ultimately, UCLA has some things that Minnesota cannot offer, but in its current state, there would have to be a lot of forecasting of what the program could be, and you can make a serious argument that Minnesota has a more passionate fanbase and better situation in modern college athletics for a head coach to succeed in the Big Ten.
Why would he leave:
For the same reason Chip Kelly just left UCLA for a lesser role at Ohio State, PJ Fleck could do the same. PJ Fleck is coming off arguably his most disappointing season since 2018, he had to find a new QB in the transfer portal and he had to hire a new defensive coordinator. The role of a head college football coach is not the same as it was when Fleck came to Minnesota in 2017. UCLA has more money than Minnesota, losing your longtime OC (twice) and DC to the same role within the conference, is something that has a far less chance of happening in Westwood. That is a major selling point for a program to lure a head coach like Fleck, “Hey are you tired of finding new coordinators, we will make sure you don’t have to do that anymore.”
I think the most simple answer to why he might leave, would be that he feels like he has reached his ceiling at Minnesota. With the Big Ten changing drastically next season, taking a job within the conference would likely give Fleck at least three seasons to settle in to the modern landscape while he rebuilds another program. Another down year at Minnesota with five or six wins, the noise might get a little loud and an opportunity like UCLA might not be on the table.
Closing thoughts:
A name that has also been mentioned highly is former UCLA player, now RB of the Raiders DeShaun Foster. This is route that Bruins could certainly take. When asked what he is looking for in a candidate, AD Jarmond mentioned, “A person of integrity. We don’t cut corners here. I want someone that’s passionate and has energy. I want a teacher, a developer. I want someone hungry. I want someone that wants to be a Bruin.” So you can take that information how you wish.
Overall, I personally do not think Fleck will leave, but I would not rule it out of the realm of possibility. If he were to ever willingly leave Minnesota for another job, I think it would have to be a situation like this. According to the Pioneer Press and Andy Greder a source close to Fleck and the program had, “heard nothing year,” as of 2:00 P.M. Friday.
This is news that’s been brewing for a while, so any competent athletic director would have a short list of names ready. Whether Fleck is on that list or not I do not know. But being that it’s already February I expect UCLA would like to act as soon as possible.
