Minnesota's P.J. Fleck gets contract extension officially approved

Head coach P.J. Fleck is going nowhere, as Minnesota announced a new contract extension on Nov. 3. Already being with the Golden Gophers for five seasons, Fleck has rowed the boat to one of the most successful stretches in program history.

The Minnesota board of regents officially approved Fleck’s contract on Monday according to Steve Berkowitz of the USA TODAY. His new deal will last for seven years and bump his pay up to $5 million annually. Before, Fleck was scheduled to make $4.65 million.

Minnesota is 32-21 overall with Fleck as their head coach after hiring him away from Western Michigan. After a slow start, the Golden Gophers are 24-10 in his last 34 games.

The 2019 season has been the peak thus far, going 11-2 with an Outback Bowl win over Auburn. It was just the program’s sixth ever double-digit win season and the first since 2003.

Fleck, Coyle comment on contract extension

After signing the deal, Fleck was able to provide a statement, sharing how he plans on continuing to grow the Minnesota program.

“This is home,” Fleck said when the deal was originally announced on Wednesday. “Our family loves it here and we are excited to continue this journey at the University of Minnesota. From day one, we talked about cultural sustainability and how important it is to building a successful football program and life program. Today is another step in that process. This new contract is a commitment to our elite staff and the entire state of Minnesota.

“Heather and I are so thankful to our staff, Mark Coyle, President Joan Gabel and the Board of Regents for trusting us to lead this program. Our goal is to recruit and coach at an elite level and to have our young people achieve academic, athletic, social and spiritual excellence. It’s a tremendous honor to lead this program, and we will continue to work to build a culture that connects the entire state.”

Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle was hired in 2016 and was the one to hire Fleck just a year later. He sounded as excited as anybody for the extension the head coach is getting.

“P.J. and Heather continue to do everything the right way,” Coyle said. “He continues to build a program that fans can take great pride in, and his student-athletes compete at a high level academically, athletically and socially. He is a tremendous recruiter and has elevated the stature of our program by an immeasurable amount. 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.”