PJ Fleck Preaches Love for Minnesota Football

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What is going to be Minnesota’s true identity? Without a doubt, on offense it has been primarily an inside-zone rush attack.

There's been a lack of success in the passing game. It's ranked in the bottom 4 for the last 3 seasons.

With incoming New Hampshire transfer quarterback Max Brosmer, will there be a change in Minnesota coach PJ Fleck's philosophy? Having the best kicker in the Big Ten Conference reflects on not being able to reach the end zone consistently.

“I know it’s been well-documented in our state that we didn’t have much of a pass game last year,” Fleck said at the Big Ten Conference Media Days.

Changing Minnesota

Brosmer comes off a successful season, as far as individual stats go. New Hampshire had a pass-heavy offense. Minnesota returns 16 of their 17 pro-eligible starters. With an entire offensive line returning, that's bound to help protect Brosmer.

The Golden Gophers also have 4 of the top 10 wide receivers in the Big Ten. Thanks to this, they’re poised to re-establish a passing game that has been all but empty since 2019. Minnesota ranked fourth in Big Ten passing that season.

“We were going to take a portal quarterback to come in and start and play right away," Fleck said. "Somebody had to come in and engulf the program, fit the culture, want to be there for the right reasons…anytime you have a curious leader, you can accomplish a lot.”

Minnesota has the longest athletic director-coach relationship in the Big Ten. Mark Coyle and Fleck have worked together for 8 years. It is an indicator of cultural sustainability. They have a shared vision and mutual trust. Their tenure has provided a solid foundation for developing their football program into a positive environment.

PJ Fleck Eyes Sustainability

“We’re going to bring cultural sustainability back to Minnesota," Fleck said. "You look at the successful coaches that have been in Minnesota a long period of time, and they all had sustainability over a long period of time with the same culture. We’re doing everything we can to keep that culture of sustainability in place.”

The true identity of Golden Gophers football lies in a love for football. It's a love that continues to be consistent and competitive entering the 2024 season.