Resetting Golden Gopher Football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers have wrapped up their most successful regular season of my lifetime. As a Gopher fan who suffered through many terrible Gopher football teams, I am super excited. Not only are they having a good season on the field, but they are also a great team off of the field. However, the program was not always the bright shining example of what a college football program can be. Back in January of 2017…
It was time for a RESET
The Issue
During the 2016 football season, 10 members of the University of Minnesota football team were accused of having played a role in a sexual assault and suspended. In response, the players boycotted and almost did not play their bowl game that year. Head coach Tracy Claeys tweeted, “Have never been more proud of our kids. I respect their rights & support their effort to make a better world!” Athletic Director Mark Coyle had to step in and explain to the players the seriousness of the allegations and talked them into ending their boycott. Major damage was done to the image of the program, which resulted in Coyle firing Claeys on January 3, 2017.
The Gophers’ Why
The Gophers wanted a coach who made the team look good both on and off the field. A college football team is a big moneymaker for any university, so if the football team is facing public outcry, things need to change. However, what Claeys and his players were standing up for flies in the face of decency and morality. This more than any other reason was why the Gophers got rid of Claeys and brought in a coach who could build a culture of integrity.
Who the Gophers Wanted to Be
The Gophers hired the PJ Fleck on January 6, 2017. His task along with rebuilding the Gopher football team was to build a positive culture in the University of Minnesota football program. The U of M wanted their student-athletes to be well-behaved citizens. That was not happening, so they brought in a coach who would focus on making that a priority.
Strengths-Based Strategies
Fleck’s philosophy has paid off in Minnesota. He took a mediocre program to a team that was in contention for the Big Ten Championship this season. By relying on his charismatic personality, Fleck has gained the confidence of his team and started recruiting highly talented players to Minnesota. Additionally, his focus has been on just being the best version of oneself. Instead of focusing on winning, he wants his players to be the best they can be on the field, in the classroom, in their social lives, in their spiritual lives, and in their mental health:
P.J. Fleck on the importance of mental health awareness and resources: "my job as a head football coach is to provide opportunities and resources for whatever the needs are of our children." #Gophers pic.twitter.com/vPFvEV8TeW
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) October 22, 2019
By caring about his players in all areas of their lives, PJ Fleck has built a program that makes me proud to be a Gopher fan. I love what Fleck has done at Minnesota, and I hope he coaches there for a long time.