Report: P.J. Fleck may leave Minnesota for another Big Ten job
The coaching carousel chairs never seem to stop turning in college football. It’s Feb. 9, yet coaches are taking other jobs as if its the middle of bowl season.
The changes on Friday are significant to Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten landscape. First, Ohio State offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien took the Boston College opening. Then, it was reported that current UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is leaving to take the Ohio State OC job.
Related: Where Wisconsin Badgers stand in first expanded Big Ten 2024 recruiting rankings
The moves leave UCLA without a head coach. That prompted Stadium’s Brett McMurphy to offer:”Expect Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck among UCLA’s top candidates.”
UCLA coach Chip Kelly leaving to become Ohio State’s OC, @BruceFeldmanCFB reports. When Day was New Hampshire’s QB, Kelly was UNH’s OC. Expect Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck among UCLA’s top candidates
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) February 9, 2024
Fleck made headlines early at Minnesota, peaking with an 11-2 2019 season. The program went south in 2023 as the Gophers went 6-7 and failed again to win a very winnable Big Ten West.
Minnesota can’t do much better than Fleck given its place in the college football ecosystem, but perhaps the veteran head coach is looking for a fresh start.
From a Wisconsin perspective, it would be a hilarious move to see happen. Fleck would remain in the conference and still play the Badgers, but this time do so in Los Angeles — a place it feels like he would fit in perfectly.
