The Minnesota Gophers and PJ Fleck reached an agreement earlier this offseason on a contract extension that will keep him in Dinkytown through 2030. Fleck has spent nearly a decade with the program, steadily elevating the team to new heights.
Now, he’s finally earning the national respect he deserves — at least according to CBS Sports.
CBS Sports analyst Cody Nagel recently released his “Big Ten coach rankings for 2025,” where Fleck was ranked No. 8. That’s a solid jump from last season, when he was ranked 11th, marking a three-spot rise.
“There’s a reason Minnesota has Fleck locked in long term,” Nagel wrote. “In eight seasons, the Golden Gophers have won at least seven games five times and have yet to lose a bowl game. Unfortunately, Minnesota hasn’t made it to the Big Ten title game yet, finishing with fewer than four conference losses just twice.”
When Fleck took over, Minnesota was largely an afterthought in the Big Ten. But slowly and surely, he’s turned that around.
Over the last four years, the Gophers have posted three winning seasons — each with eight or more wins. Fleck boasts a perfect 6-0 record in bowl games since taking over the program in 2017.
CBS Sports’ bullish outlook on Fleck is well-deserved.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
The program is trending in the right direction, and the recruiting class for 2026 reflects that progress. According to 247Sports, Fleck’s next class features three four-star recruits — the most he’s landed in one season — he managed to hold onto in-state tight end Roman Voss, beating out Alabama in the process.
Fleck has built a strong reputation for developing NFL talent. He has sent players like Antoine Winfield Jr., Rashod Bateman, Boye Mafe, John Michael-Schmitz, Tyler Nubin, Blake Cashman, Aireontae Ersery and Justin Walley to the league.
Now that Fleck’s locked in for the long haul and bringing in strong recruiting classes, the Gophers look set to become regular contenders in the Big Ten.
His ability to develop NFL-caliber players while maintaining winning seasons proves Minnesota’s rise isn’t a question of if, but when. The best is yet to come for Fleck and Minnesota football.