PJ Fleck Got Emotional Following Minnesota Gophers Win vs USC

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PJ Fleck, Max Brosmer hugging after Minnesota Gophers victory over USC
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Gophers got a huge (and much-needed) victory over the USC Trojans on Saturday night, thanks to an impressive 2nd half comeback that ended with an exclamation point interception by true ‘one of us’ freshman phenom, Koi Perich.

It was one of those wins that we haven’t seen at the University of Minnesota since 2019, a season that was full of emotional victories that helped charge the Gophers through one of the best seasons in a storied program’s history.

PJ Fleck crowd surfs through Minnesota Gophers players after USC win

Following one of the biggest wins in PJ Fleck’s 7.5 seasons in Minnesota, the 43-year-old head coach celebrated out on the field with thousands of Gopher fans, finishing off his BTN interview with the best “Row the Boat, SKI-U-MAH, Go Gophers” yet.

Then, as is customary after wins, Fleck went crowd-surfing on the hands of his players, through the Huntington Bank Stadium home locker room. This time, however, they started tossing him around like an overstimulated puppy’s brand new chew toy.

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The video cuts out before we find out what happened to the Minnesota head coach, but he made it to the postgame podium, eventually, so it must have turned out ok. As PJ stood in front of reporters, he immediately got emotional.

Yup, Fleck was in his feelings last night, and for good reason. His program needed a momentum turning victory, and ASAP. But he didn’t point fingers at media members and say, “I told you so”. There was no “you doubted us, and now we’re here” speech.

PJ Fleck dedicates his opening statement to coaching mentor, Al Nolan

Instead, Fleck started his press conference in a way that he never has before, at least not any that I have watched or covered. An emotional PJ rearranged the sponsored beverages sitting on the top of his podium (hat part is not new). Then, he introduced a special guest, in the room.

Related: Gophers Upset #11 USC with 2nd Half Comeback Sealed by Koi Perich Interception

Most reporters gathered probably had no idea who he was. I sure wouldn’t have. His name is Mike Nolan, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Fleck credits Nolan, and former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, as the reason he wears a tie on the sidelines. Take it away, PJ.

“[Mike Nolan], my head coach of the Niners who’s here with his wife Kathy please walk that you’re here because that’s why I wear a tie. If he wouldn’t have cut me that day, that moment, that second, I wouldn’t be able to experience these moments.

Had it not been for him sitting down a worthless player, who had to cut because he wasn’t going to be able to help the team in year three, you sit him down and say, ‘I think you would be a really good coach and I think you should do this’, and then offer him a job. That’s what this entire thing is about.

With these players, our job is to, one, have them be proud of the University of Minnesota and everything that this place stands for and allows them to become, and love their alma-mater. Two, make sure you teach them as many life lessons as possible so they can be the best men that they can be.

And coach, it’s an honor to have you here. Thank you for always being here and supporting me, and being the biggest mentor in my life. Umm, I’m sure you have a lot of questions. I apologize to make that personal, but he needs to hear that. I know I text him that all the time, but in front of all of you, this is what we talked about. It’s not about a fashion statement. It’s about myself, and a lot of my staff having the opportunity to be here and I don’t take that lightly.”

PJ Fleck’s opening statement after Saturday’s win vs USC

Nolan coached PJ Fleck for his only two NFL seasons (’06, ’07) as a wide receiver. Mike was head coach of the Niners from 2005 to 2008, before being fired. He never found another head coaching opportunity in the league, but did bounce around between defensive coordinator and linebackers coach jobs for another decade.

PJ Fleck's mentor Mike Nolan as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2007
Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Related: Minnesota Gophers Might Use Koi Perich on Offense…?

Nolan last coached in the NFL in 2020, as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. Most recently, he is head coaching the Michigan Panthers, of the UFL, which went 7-3 last season. Mike Nolan’s connection to Michigan? He doesn’t have one.

But PJ Fleck sure does, and he was clearly the right guy for the job, given his success so far. In 2023, the Panthers picked Tanner Morgan (who was once committed to Fleck at Western Michigan) No. 8 overall in the UFL Draft by the Panthers, too.

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