PJ Fleck, Gophers Agree to Contract Extension Through 2029

PJ Fleck has been head coach of the Minnesota Gophers football team for six seasons and it doesn’t look like his tenure will end any time soon. On Wednesday around noon, the two sides announced a contract extension that will keep him in Dinkytown through 2029. The new deal gives him a $1 million raise per season, up to $6 million per season.

Keeping our Coach HO〽️E.

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— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 7, 2022

Sources: Minnesota and head coach P.J. Fleck have agreed to a new seven-year, $42 million deal, an increase of $1 million per year over his previous deal.

Fleck has the most wins by a Gophers coach through six seasons since 1905.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 7, 2022

As has been written about on this site many times, PJ Fleck is the best and most successful football coach the University of Minnesota has ever had on campus. Fleck is 5th in program history in total wins and his .614 (43-27) win percentage is 3rd best among former coaches who walked the sideline for at least 45 games during their tenure.

Fleck Signs Extension as Brohm Bails

The contract extension comes just hours after it was announced that Purdue head coach, Jeff Brohm, was leaving West Lafayette to take a similar salary at ACC school, Louisville.

Brohm was one PJ Fleck’s biggest critics, especially on the recruiting trail. Now, he’s the one taking his first ticket out of town. Fleck, on the other hand, continues to defy his detractors and any previous notions that he was using the Minnesota Gophers as a short-term stepping stone to bigger opportunities.

Both PJ Fleck and Mark Coyle delivered quotes on the new contract.

“This is all about cultural sustainability,” said Fleck. “We have talked about that from day one, and this new contract is a commitment to continuing to change our best academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. It is also a commitment to our elite staff and our tremendous fans. During the last six years, we have been able to do some amazing things at Minnesota, some of which have not been accomplished in more than 115 years. It is a tremendous honor to lead this football program, and our goal is to compete for championships every year. We are so grateful to the Board of Regents, President Joan Gabel, Mark Coyle and our staff for allowing us to do so. Heather and I and our family love living here and we are excited to continue on this journey with the entire state of Minnesota.” 

PJ Fleck – U of M Media Release

“I am excited that P.J., Heather and their family will continue to call Minnesota home,” said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. “What P.J. and his staff have done in a short amount of time is remarkable. He has recruited and developed some of the best student-athletes to ever play at Minnesota and his team continues to excel academically, athletically and socially. This year alone, a Gopher was either a semifinalist or a finalist for six different major college football awards, ranging from the best center in the nation to the best running back in the nation to the most impactful community service leader in the nation. P.J. consistently builds a team that Minnesotans can take pride in and one that competes for championships. I am grateful to President Gabel and the Board of Regents for their continued support, and I look forward to Coach Fleck continuing to lead the Gophers for a long time.”

Mark Coyle – U of M Media Release

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan