4 Big Ten losses would not be a huge success over what they have already been doing. They had 4 or less losses in the Big Ten 3 of the past 4 seasons. But I agree it's probably not realistic to expect any better than that the first year. If Fleck is able to improve the program it will take time.
I really like Jerry Kill. Its to bad he had to step down in the first place. Fleck looks like an outstanding hire. I am not sure who Sota expected Minnesota to bring in? Nothing against the Gophers, but your geographic, climate and population base have you at a distinct disadvantage to most other universities. Looks like a grand slam hire from my seat, time will tell. Young, full of energy and hit the ground running.
Les Miles flew to Minneapolis on a private jet to talk the the Mark Coyle the AD at the U of M about the coaching job. Population base compared to the rest of the Big 10 ?
Miles vs Fleck.....Miles a more sure thing and commodity....Fleck has bigger upside and most likely slightly cheaper than Miles even.
Just pointed out that the Gophers had options, and I have a wait and see attitude now about PJ based on interviews of reporters that followed him. He does a great job of connecting with every single player on the team and not just during football season.
I agree with the geography part but it doesn't seem much different than WI does it? Not sure what you mean on the population part? MN is a way bigger market than Iowa or NE and similar sized at least a couple others.
Miles is old. Every university passed on him this offseason. He basically pissed away one of the most talent laden teams seasons every year. Terrible offence and quarterback play. He beat an average Ohio State team, other than that what has he done? He did recruit very well, but there is a lot of talent in that area to recruit. Talent recruited to on field success wasnt very good under Miles.
Local talent base to recruit. Not many top coach candidates would consider Minnesota due to the lack of the local talent base for recruting. As for Wisconsin, they are overachievers based on their recruiting. They have had a successful string of coaching staffs after Alvarez.
Minnesota will struggle and needs a great recruiter, Minnesota only produces 3-4 blue chip college recruits every year so a coach is going to have to import a lot of talent. I think that is why I am dismissive of the football program. I remember when Doug Woog only recruited Minnesota kids to play hockey at the U of M and competed for national championships every year.
You are absolutly right about the local talent base when comparing to many of the East (conference) school power house locations. But MN produces as many or more quality recruits than the majority of the West school locations. The East is obviously much stronger.
My point is why would a high profile name go there and have to fight for out of state talent to compete on a national stage when they could just go to a school in Texas, Cali, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, etc and pull from the local talent base. Looks to me Minnesota hit a walk off with the Fleck hire.
Yeah I see your point. I think most Gopher fans have realistic expectations here. We know we aren't going to become the next OSU in football. But getting better would be nice.
Everyone from my High School is rooting him on. He graduated two years after my little brother and was supposed to be the next NFL standout from our little school. Don Beebe also graduated from our school and trained PJ at one point. I hope he doesn't do too well or my Facebook feed will be filled with people swinging off his satchel
