Gopher Head Coach P.J. Fleck signed a 7-year contract to stay on with the University of Minnesota last week.
Now, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved that contract to make it official.
The regents held a special meeting Thursday morning to approve the contract. Four Regents were present in the board’s chamber, with seven others and University President Joan Gabel joining via conference call.
"It is a tremendous honor to lead this team and represent the University of Minnesota and this great state," said Fleck. "Our family absolutely loves Minnesota, and we are excited to continue to call this state home. We are building a championship culture – one that our fans can be proud of – through the academic, athletic, social and spiritual development of our student athletes. Heather and I are so thankful to our staff, Mark Coyle, President Gabel and the Board of Regents for seeing the vision we have for our football program."
Fleck, in year 3, has the Gophers 8-0 with a huge game this Saturday against also 8-0 Penn St. They are ranked #13 in the AP Poll, the highest ranking since 2003 and it's the first time they're 8-0 since 1941.
The Gophers have won 10 straight and Fleck has started to peak the interest of other programs, most recently Florida State who was rumored to be talking to Fleck this past weekend.
Fleck is 20-13 overall at Minnesota, but 12-2 in their last 14 games.
Fleck: "we've made a commitment to be here, that's for sure." He also said he wanted to show his team and future recruits he wants to be here. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/m6lYn60xRK
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) November 5, 2019"Coach Fleck has built a program that competes academically, athletically and socially," said Athletics Director Mark Coyle. "He recruits at an extremely high level and the program is seeing success it has not seen in nearly 80 years. His students are succeeding off the field, as the team has posted a record GPA and continually gives back to the community. I am thankful to President Gabel and the Board of Regents for their continued support, and I look forward to Coach Fleck continuing to lead this program."
Fleck's teams have also done well off the field, posting record GPA's, and making many team appearances at community events.
RELATED: Mark Coyle on Fleck contract extension.
Fleck new salary will be $4.6 million per year over 7 years, Coyle said. 65 percent of the contract is guaranteed. The buyout after the first year is $10 million, with the 65 percent guarantee after that. He is being paid $3.6 million for the 2019 season.
Mark Coyle said P.J. Fleck's extension will increase his salary to $4.6 million. The buyout if he leaves in year one is $10 million. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/aYVD1ebpiZ
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) November 5, 2019That salary would move Fleck from 11th out of 14 Big Ten Coaches into the middle of the pack at 7th. Just ahead of Ryan Day at Ohio State, just behind Kirk Ferentz at Iowa (not counting bonuses). T
