Category: Twins

 

P.J. Fleck was one of the most coveted young head football coaches in the country in the fall of 2016 after leading upstart Western Michigan to a 13-0 regular season record, just three years after his Broncos were 1-11 in his first year.

Fleck, then 36, looked like a candidate for the biggest stages in college football including Notre Dame. His nonstop can-do energy and attitude had caught the attention of college football observers throughout the country, including write-ups in the New York Times and Sports Illustrated.

Fleck chose to leave Western Michigan for Minnesota in January of 2017. It was a decision process involving his wife Heather, he told Sports Headliners earlier this month. Regarding her husband’s next career stop, she emphasized it needed to be a long-term commitment.

This is how Fleck recalled a conversation with his wife who together are raising young children: “She looked at me and says, ‘Listen, when we move there (the next job), we’re going to live there. We’re going to live there a long time…build a lot of roots.’

“It had to be a community that was high in philanthropy,” Fleck said. “Had to be a community that was willing to serve and give. Had to be bigger than football. We feel the Twin City area and the state of Minnesota is that. … To be able to serve and give and make other people’s lives better. And that’s what Row the Boat is all about. It’s about serving and giving to other people. It’s about never giving up. It’s about providing opportunities for other people who can’t provide it for themselves.”

Row the Boat, of course, is Fleck’s catchphrase for the philosophy he preaches inside and outside the U football program. It will be heard later this week at Big Ten media days in Chicago when Fleck will be asked if his team can continue the performance of the last four games in 2018. During that stretch Minnesota won three of four while dominating Purdue, Wisconsin and Georgia Tech.

After going 5-7 and 7-6 in Fleck’s first two seasons, even better results will be expected this fall. A first-ever Big Ten West Division championship for Minnesota isn’t out of the question for a team that has almost all its key players returning. A big year will surely put Fleck’s name into the rumor mill for openings around the country.

Such a development will concern Gophers fans. Nobody can predict the future but Fleck, a Midwest native, has always wanted to coach in the Big Ten. He also has a supportive athletic director in Mark Coyle, and a contract at Minnesota that runs through 2023. He has outstanding resources including the new Athletes Village with which to work, and the loyalty of talented young players he has brought to Minneapolis. He also has the memory of those commitment words spoken by his wife.

Worth Noting

BTN will televise comments by the Big Ten football coaches starting at noon Thursday as part of the conference’s two media days in Chicago.  Fleck (scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday) could talk about various aspects of his program and team, including Minnesota’s running backs, a unit he rates among the best in the Big Ten.

While league media know about senior stars Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, and sophomore Mohamed Ibrahim who led the team in rushing last season, most are not familiar with freshman Cam Wiley. “Probably reminds you a little bit of a Laurence Maroney, probably when he first got here,” Fleck said.

At 6-2, 205 pounds, Wiley is about the same size as Maroney who ranks with the greatest Gophers running backs ever. Wiley didn’t play for his Las Vegas team as a high school junior and had modest stats as a senior, but obviously Fleck is impressed with the potential of his freshman back.

The explosive Maroney was a first team Rivals.com All-American for the Gophers in 2005 and later a first round draft selection of the New England Patriots. In 2018 Ibrahim became the first Gopher freshman to have five rushing games of over 100 yards since Maroney in 2003.

Fleck and the media will likely have some fun bringing up the name of 400-pound sophomore offensive tackle Daniel Faalele. In Minnesota’s spring intra-squad game the creative Fleck put Faalele in the backfield where he ran six yards for a touchdown while bowling over defenders.

Faalele could be college football’s biggest runner in the fall. How will the coach use him? “When people don’t think we will,” Fleck said.

Ibrahim, linebacker Carter Coughlin, wide receiver Tyler Johnson and holder Casey O’Brien are among 43 Big Ten football players representing their schools at Big Ten Media Days. The Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon on Friday will include a speech by O’Brien on behalf of the league’s players. A four-time cancer survivor, O’Brien is a sophomore walk-on at Minnesota and the son of former Gophers assistant coach Dan O’Brien.

Coughlin was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List yesterday. The award has been presented annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Coughlin is one of 23 defensive ends on the 80-player list.

Johnson was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List yesterday. The award has been presented to America’s College Player of the Year since 1937. The list is comprised of 80 individuals, but features only 12 receivers including Johnson.

FOX Sports North and the Twins recently announced a 41 percent increase in television ratings for the first half of the season. The Twins attracted the third highest viewership of all Major League Baseball teams with a 6.12 average household rating. Among MLB franchises, the Twins have the second highest increase in ratings since last year.

Twins immortal Harmon Killebrew cared for others including those with disabilities. The second annual Harmon’s Heart of Baseball event will be August 10 at Target Field, with the Twins and Cleveland Indians playing as part of a four-game series between the two top Central Division teams. Plans are to give fans 15,000 18” by 24” commemorative Killebrew posters after the August 10 game ends. Those who buy game tickets through HarmonsHeart.org can receive a redemption certificate for a 12” by 18” Killebrew print. Funds raised will support Fergus Falls-based Productive Alternative, a non-profit organization that specializes in helping adults with disabilities find and retain meaningful employment.

Prior to the game Killebrew’s widow, Nita Killebrew, will present the Harmon’s Heart of Baseball Award to a person with a disability that exemplifies spirit and community service.

Minnesota alum Jeff Seeman and St. Cloud State alum Mike Spanier will return for their 18th and 21st seasons respectively as NFL officials.

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