P.J. Fleck

P.J. Fleck has been the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team since 2017. Fleck is the 30th head coach in the program's history. Under his leadership, the team has recorded a career head coaching record of 80-56, demonstrating his effectiveness as a coach. An integral part of the Minnesota program, Fleck is known for his lively coaching style, which includes his characteristic mantra of "Row the Boat."

Fleck's career as a coach is not confined to Minnesota. He served as the wide receivers coach for Northern Illinois, Rutgers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His experience also includes a term as the head coach of the Western Michigan Broncos from 2013 to 2016. While at Western Michigan, Fleck was recognized with the MAC Coach of the Year title twice, in 2014 and 2016, for his impressive work with the team. He also brought in the highest-rated recruiting class in the MAC for four consecutive years, from 2015 to 2019.

Fleck's tenure at Minnesota has been marked by significant achievements, with the Golden Gophers posting 11 wins in 2019, the most for the Minnesota team since 1904. In 2019, Fleck was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year, a testament to his coaching prowess. Under his guidance, Minnesota won the 2020 Outback Bowl, which was their 11th win of the season. He also led Minnesota to their first win against a top-five opponent since 1977. Such accomplishments have secured Fleck a seven-year contract worth $33.25 million in 2019, making him an important figure within the team.

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleck continued to lead his team to success. In the 2020 season, he led the Golden Gophers to a 9-4 overall record and a 6-3 record in Big Ten play. Minnesota upset #14-ranked Wisconsin in the regular season finale to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe. They ended the season with a win over West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Off the field, Fleck is known for his philanthropic efforts. He collaborated with the UNRL apparel company to release a "Row the Boat" clothing line, with proceeds benefiting the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Fleck and his wife, Heather, are the founders of the Row The Boat Fund which further supports these causes. The couple have five children, Gavin, Carter, Paisley (P.J.), Harper, and Colt, whose memory inspired the "Row the Boat" mantra.