Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Brian Flores Likes What He Sees in Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Posted on July 29, 2025July 29, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

All eyes seemingly are on first-year Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy at training camp. Among those most qualified to give an opinion about the 22-year-old is defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Flores said yesterday part of the strategy in preparing the inexperienced quarterback is “giving him a lot of different looks” from the defense. “I think J.J. has done a great job. I really do. I think he’s got real good command of the offense. I think he’s throwing the ball really well. I think he’s doing a lot of nice things and I’ve liked watching him improve. That’s good for everybody.”

Seems like when, not if, Flores will leave from his successful run here and accept an NFL head coaching position elsewhere. As in past seasons, it appears likely Flores will hear his name speculated on for openings in the fall and early winter.

Flores had a head coaching job previously, leading the Dolphins from 2019-2021. That tenure didn’t end well with a 24-25 record and negative feelings about his dismissal.

Flores has flourished in two previous seasons as leader of the Vikings defense. In his first two seasons leading the defense (2023-24), Minnesota had 53 total takeaways, the third most in the NFL trailing only Buffalo (59) and Pittsburgh (57). The Vikings have also held foes to an average of 96.1 rushing yards per game under Flores. That’s the third-fewest rushing yards per game over the past two seasons, behind only Detroit (93.6) and Baltimore (94.7).

Flores, who was a finalist for the Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year for 2024, has not only polished his resume here, but also assimilated the offensive wisdom and coaching prowess of head coach Kevin O’Connell. In three seasons O’Connell has dazzled as a quarterback developer and offensive strategist.

Flores praises the way the offense goes about its business, from leadership to how the unit practices. He is comfortable going into the boss’s office and “picking his brain” on things like pass protection or route concepts. He describes O’Connell’s relationships with others as a “super power.”

“My time with him has been incredible these last two years and this year as well,” Flores said. “I think I am pretty good in some areas. Areas I am not as good in, he’s really good in. So just kind of naturally I get better in those areas. …”

Flores describes a “bit of a chess match” between the Vikings offense and defense as both units work on details to improve themselves and each other. Flores knows O’Connell is loaded with football smarts. “X’s and O’s wise, he’s as good as they get,” Flores said.

No word on who will be replacing recently retired Joe Schmit as sports director at KSTP TV. If the successor comes internally, seems likely the choice could be Chris Long who was the No. 2 behind Schmit.

George Schauer, the point man on the Golden Gophers famous Harlem Globetrotters-like warmup show in the early 1970s, died earlier this month in Dallas. Coach Bill Musselman put Schauer on scholarship strictly because of his ballhandling skills and trickery as he led his teammates through a pre-game show set to music that packed Williams Arena and had fans roaring with delight.

Former Gophers assistant coach Kevin Wilson told Sports Headliners Schauer scored two points in his four-year career and that Schauer and the Williams Arena faithful went bonkers when he made his field goal.

Schauer entertained with his basketball wizardry after college with his most recent gig as an ambassador for the Frisco, Texas based Texas Legends of the G League. That’s the official minor league of the NBA.

New coach Niko Medved’s 2025 Gophers have their last day of summer practice Thursday. Medved meets with the media that day to provide an evaluation.

Cody Nagel from Cbssports.com ranked the 18 Big Ten football coaches last week and Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck is at No. 8. Coaches above Fleck starting at No. 1 are Ryan Day, Ohio State; Dan Lanning, Oregon; James Franklin, Penn State; Lincoln Riley, USC; Kirk Ferentz, Iowa; Curt Cignetti, Indiana; Bret Bielema, Illinois.

Pioneer League football coaches voted St. Thomas to finish third in the standings this fall behind San Diego and Drake. In four previous seasons in the league, head coach Glenn Caruso’s Tommies have finished top three each year including a championship in 2022.

Twins infielder Luke Keaschall (right forearm) remains on rehab assignment with the Saints after having only 19 at bats with Minnesota this season. Pitcher Bailey Ober (left hip impingement) is also rehabbing with the Saints and has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings and two starts.

Don’t look now but while Twins pitching ace Pablo Lopez is sidelined the man traded to obtain Lopez, infielder Luis Arraez, is hitting .322 in his last 30 games and lifted his season average to .292.

Twins legends and hall of famers Jim Kaat and Rod Carew speak to the Twin Cities Dunkers on August 15.

Congratulations to Jeff Maday on being inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame. The track’s media relations manager has been with the racing facility for more than 30 years and started as a groom.

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Perich on Potential Path to Be Most Decorated Gopher Ever

Posted on July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 by David Shama

Koi Perich could become the most decorated player in the history of University of Minnesota football, a program that dates back to 1882. The Golden Gophers safety and return specialist earned numerous honors as a freshman in 2024 and he is identified by many sources this summer as a national player to watch during the coming season.

His 2024 recognition included:

Sporting News Second Team All-American
FWAA Freshman All-American
All-Big Ten First Team, Defensive Back
All-Big Ten Second Team, Return Specialist
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Shaun Alexander (National) Freshman of the Year Award Finalist

This summer college football magazines are touting Perich as a 2025 preseason All-American safety. One of the magazines, Phil Steele Publications, also named Perich as a third team All-Big Ten punt returner.

Perich is included on the recently announced Big Ten football Honors List of the top 16 players for the coming season. He is also on the watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award, presented annually to a defensive player for his character and athletic abilities. He is also expected to be on the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s premier defensive back.

Perich presumably will play this season and next for the Gophers before entering the NFL Draft. He could become the all-time aggregator of football awards in Dinkytown, partially because of his excellence and also because through the decades more and more honors have been created for college football players to win.

Koi Perich photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

No football freshman at the U ever had the decorated season that Perich earned. Looks like he will rule the sophomore category, too. Center Greg Eslinger, who would go on to win the prestigious Outland Trophy and Remington Award later on in his career, was named All-Big Ten as a sophomore in 2003, but based on pre-season hype Perich could do more than that.

The legendary Paul Giel had some serious hardware in his possession, but the great halfback earned his major honors as a junior and senior in the 1950s. The two-time All-American was also twice named the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player. Despite playing on a mediocre team, Giel was runner-up for the 1953 Heisman Trophy in possibly the closest vote ever for the award.

The intrigue about Perich, who could become Minnesota’s first three-time All-American, certainly goes beyond what he showed last season. Yes, his athleticism and heady play helped him lead the Big Ten in interceptions with five. And, yes, he had a mesmerizing 82-yard punt return against defending national champion Michigan in the “Big House.” But this year coach P.J. Fleck is making it known his versatile star will be asked to be a playmaker on offense, too.

Expectation is that while Perich won’t be an every down player on offense, he could have numerous touches in each game as a receiver and runner. “Koi is very explosive,” said first-year quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Lindsey and Perich have been working together in the offseason. Lindsey, an Arkansas native, has become close friends with Perich. The two were down in Arkansas during the offseason where Lindsey threw to Perich.

It’s been apparent to Lindsey that Perich’s football gifts include his sure hands. He has also seen Perich’s successful assimilation of the formations and nuances of the Gopher offense. “He’s really smart,” Lindsey said.

If Perich, who is about 6-1 and 215 pounds, takes to offense like he has defense and returning punts and kicks, he could follow a similar path to Travis Hunter who won the Heisman Trophy after last season. In the almost unheard-of age of players contributing on both offense and defense, Hunter was elite playing cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado.

It’s premature and irresponsible to make comparisons between Perich and Hunter. But Perich, the small-town kid from near Duluth, has already put his name on the national stage.

And it looks like he will bring fame to not only the Gophers but to Esko, Minnesota, population of about 2,000. Esko came up in a recent interview with Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine who asked what he should see in the small town if he had a week there.

“Oh, not much,” Perich quipped.

Revsine then said what if he had just a “few hours” to check out the town.

“Hey, that’s all you need,” Perich replied. “Got one stop light. Go check out the school. We got Tequilla Town (restaurant). I think that’s what it’s called now. …”

Indeed, that’s what the restaurant name is. Perich recalled that the Mexican cuisine restaurant replaced the pizza place in town. He usually gets things right on and off the field.

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‘Slap in the Face’ Motivates Gophers New QB Drake Lindsey

Posted on July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 by David Shama

Drake Lindsey, the presumptive starter as the Golden Gophers quarterback for the August 28 opening game against Buffalo, certainly doesn’t lack motivation. Big-time college football players always talk about excelling and being elite, but there’s something more involved with Lindsey—the redshirt freshman from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Lindsey told KFAN Radio this morning it was a “slap in the face” that he wasn’t recruited by his hometown Arkansas Razorbacks. Lindsey grew up dreaming of playing for the Hogs. His high school is located a short walk to the Arkansas campus. He comes from a family of Arkansas alums.

Yet it was head coach P.J. Fleck and assistant coach Greg Harbaugh Jr. who committed early to Lindsey and made him feel wanted at Minnesota. Lindsey said he will use the Arkansas snub to push himself.

Lindsey told the radio audience he’s excited about his college choice and sees his destination as something meant to be. He also knows being a first-year starter will be challenging after playing only limited minutes last season as Max Brosmer’s backup.

Brosmer was an acclaimed leader and accomplished player who is now trying to make the Vikings roster. Lindsey, who describes himself as more extroverted than Brosmer, learned a lot from last year’s star QB.

Lindsey said at a media gathering this morning it was a “blessing to have that guy,” praising how Brosmer led the team, performed and put such effort into preparation. Lindsey doesn’t think anybody in the country “prepared like Max.”

Lindsey said back in January he was trying to act like Brosmer but since then has learned to be himself. He has impressed teammates with his development.

Defensive end and upper classman Anthony Smith believes Lindsey has “really stepped his game up” as the months have gone by. “On the field I think he’s an awesome leader,” Smith said.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Lindsey came on strong his senior season and led Fayetteville High School to a 13-0 record and state championship. He threw for 3,941 yards in his senior season while completing 69 percent of his passes (264-for-383), tossed 54 touchdown passes and had just three interceptions.

Minnesota started recruiting Lindsey in April of 2023, before his senior season. He said the Gophers showed him “love” and made him feel special.

With ambition to be a “great quarterback,” Lindsey will have the opportunity to show the Razorbacks what they missed.

Worth Noting

The Gophers Koi Perich, who was the No. 1 recruit in the state two years ago out of Esko, continues to receive lots of summertime recognition after his breakout freshman season in 2024. Among the latest honors is Lindy’s Big Ten preview magazine selecting him as a second team preseason All-American safety.

Perich is also second team All-Big Ten while defensive teammates Anthony Smith (end) and Maverick Baranowski (linebacker) are third team selections by Lindy’s.

The magazine picks the Gophers 11^th in the 18-team Big Ten, one spot behind Iowa and one ahead of Wisconsin.

The publication quotes an anonymous NFL scout as saying the Gophers could push into the national top 25 conversation. “When you look at what P.J. Fleck has done at Minnesota, it’s impressive,” the scout said. “Even without the NIL resources to push them into the top tier of the Big Ten, he’s managed to keep the program competitive. …”

Scott Dochterman, writing in The Athletic last week, ranked college football’s 100 best rivalries and has Minnesota-Wisconsin at No. 10. Minnesota-Iowa is No. 34.

Congratulations to Sports Headliners advertiser Blaze Credit Union on its recent honors. The Falcon Heights-based company was recently named Minnesota’s best in five categories in the Star Tribune Readers’ Choice Awards. Blaze earned Gold for Credit Union, Home Mortgage, Wealth Management, and Financial Services Customer Service, and Silver in the overall Customer Service category.

Blaze has also been named a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union for the third consecutive year. Partnering with the market research firm Statista, Forbes annually recognizes the best banks and credit unions across the nation. Financial institutions have been evaluated via survey by approximately 26,000 U.S. residents.

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