Nov 18, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach P.J. Fleck during the second quarter against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Huskie Stadium. Photo Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
After guiding Western Michigan to a 13-1 record this season, P.J. Fleck is leaving the school to become head coach of Minnesota’s reeling football team.
The 36-year-old Fleck will receive a five-year deal, Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle announced Friday. The contract is worth $18.5 million, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The hiring of Fleck comes after Coyle fired head coach Tracy Claeys on Tuesday. The suspension of 10 players in connection with allegations of sexual assault, as well as the players’ threat to boycott the Holiday Bowl, apparently played a major role in Claeys’ firing.
Claeys became the Gophers’ head coach during the 2015 season, when Jerry Kill resigned for health reasons. Minnesota went 11-8, including two bowl victories, under Claeys. The nine wins this season were the most for Minnesota since it won 10 in 2003.
Fleck led Western Michigan to bowl games in each of the past three seasons. The Broncos were 13-0 in the 2016 regular season before losing in the Cotton Bowl to Wisconsin 24-16. Fleck went 30-22 in four years at Western Michigan.
–LSU All-American safety Jamal Adams announced that he will bypass his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Adams is rated as the No. 1 strong safety and 14th overall prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.
Adams recorded 76 tackles, one sack and one interception this season. He had five interceptions in his LSU career.
–North Carolina running back Elijah Hood reversed course by announcing that he was declaring for the NFL draft.
Two-plus weeks ago, Hood was intending to remain in school and play his senior season. Hood is considered to be a middle-round pick in the draft.
Hood finishes his college career as the ninth-leading rusher in North Carolina history with 2,580 yards. He rushed for 29 touchdowns, which ranks sixth. Hood ran for 858 yards this season while battling injuries.
–The Florida Gators promoted Randy Shannon to defensive coordinator, coach Jim McElwain announced.
Shannon, 50, coached linebackers for the last two seasons at Florida and also served as the associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator.
Shannon served as interim defensive coordinator during Florida’s 30-3 victory over Iowa in the Outback Bowl as the Gators finished the season 9-4. He replaces Geoff Collins, who left to become the head coach at Temple.
Shannon played at Miami under Jimmy Johnson and eventually became head coach of the Hurricanes in 2007. He compiled a 28-22 record as a head coach before he was fired.
–Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is currently in Tampa, Fla., preparing to face Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday night. However, in a few weeks, he might be in Alabama, preparing to put his skills on display for NFL scouts at the 2017 Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl is the premier scouting showcase, giving invited NFL prospects an opportunity to audition in front of hundreds of scouts and coaches throughout a week of practices and an exhibition game. Watson, who is a third-year junior, has received an invitation to Mobile, Ala., to participate in what is a unique situation.
The game is called the Senior Bowl because it is reserved for senior prospects who have exhausted collegiate eligibility. However, when Phil Savage was named executive director of the event in 2012, one of the changes implemented was the eligibility of fourth-year juniors who graduated prior to game. The move was universally welcomed and several redshirt junior graduates have taken advantage of the new rule.
Watson has yet to accept or decline the invite.
