PJ Fleck’s Minnesota football coaching future gets major update

Tom Gorski

PJ Fleck’s Minnesota football coaching future gets major update image

The contract details for Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck were revealed last week, but they were pending approval at the Board of Regents meeting, which took place today. Not that anyone seriously expected otherwise, Minnesota is ready to extend its commitment to Fleck.

On Wednesday morning, Fleck officially received approval for a one-year contract extension added onto his existing deal, keeping him with the Gophers through the 2030 season.

Fleck took over as Minnesota’s head coach in January 2017, leaving Western Michigan to lead the program.

In eight seasons, he’s established himself as one of the school’s most successful coaches, compiling a 58-39 record with five winning seasons. He’s also led the Gophers to six bowl victories — undefeated in those games — the most bowl wins by any coach in program history. 

Fleck has led Minnesota to eight wins in a season four times, tying the school record for most such seasons under one coach.

Under the new extension, Fleck’s base salary remains at $6 million per year — the same as his last contract amendment back in March 2024. Along with retention bonuses, the deal sends a strong message that Minnesota is fully invested in keeping Fleck at the helm for the foreseeable future. 

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It’s a move that not only rewards past success but also signals trust in the direction he’s taking the program.

There’s no doubt Fleck isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Gophers have secured one of their most successful coaches for the long haul, bringing stability and continued growth to the program under his leadership.

Tom Gorski

Tom Gorski is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is pursuing a master’s degree in sports media at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Communications from DePaul University, where he spent two years reporting on the Big East for The DePaulia, the university’s award-winning student newspaper. His background in sports journalism includes positions with 247Sports, the Region Sports Network and Fans First Sports Network, where he covered high school, college and professional sports.