St Paul paper also is reporting Fleck deal is done and press conference will be later today.

Sounds like from multiple sources it's official and will be announced tomorrow PJ Fleck has accepted the Job. Why so quiet here?

Right now

i know the U has a great English department and media relations program. Are any of the local writers/broadcasters U of M grads? We need a friend.

Who's becoming "Row the Boat"?

Hi! Did you miss me? What's new?

Matt made the Ap all Bowl team

Matt Leidner, Minnesota: This former walk-on and scout-team center had dropped 30 pounds before the Holiday Bowl to prepare for foot surgery since he wasn't expecting to play. He instead earned his first career start because of injuries to Tyler Moore and Jared Weyler. Leidner helped Minnesota defeat Washington State 17-12 and underwent surgery the following day.

Looks like we have our guy!

It's been quiet for most of the day, as I believe negotiations were going on with Minnesota and Fleck/his party in Chicago.

What I'm hearing right now is that the ball is in Minnesota's court. That news came from someone I trust but ultimately I can't confirm its truth. However, everything they've told me leading up to this aligns with what I've heard. This is obviously a unique time with the boycott, sexual assault case, etc. Kaler and Coyle want to make sure the transition goes as smooth as possible. From what I'm told they're doing background checks and looking into how Fleck has handled similar situations. An announcement may not come until tomorrow even if there are no red flags.

Also, over the past couple hours there's been Les Miles steam:
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I can confirm that there's interest in Miles, and have been given reason to believe that he may even be a top two candidate. I can't confirm that he actually came here.

6:50 PM Update:

Another text saying it will be Fleck.

Barring something last minute, PJ's the guy.

Link: Northwestern preview

So in other Gopher news, the basketball team has a road game against another likely bubble team.

have we EVER had one. just thought I'd spice up the day as we wait for all these white guys to decide on the job and things of that nature.

Hire 55 .....this offense would breathe. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be my coordinators. We wouldn't use white chalk on the field either....only black.

And our cheerleaders would be mocha brown with big juicy booties. And not gullabe and into trains. I hope we hear something today.

I wouldn't really read much into the Moorhead turning down the offer news right now. I'm sure Minnesota is reaching out to others in case something falls last minute, and I'm sure some coaches are also having their agents release things to get raises. Minnesota also has incentive to get other candidate names out there for more leverage when negotiating. Again, everything I've heard indicates that Fleck really wants the job, and that he's likely the top target for Minnesota. Kaler and Coyle flying down and meeting with him the day after they fired Claeys supports that. I'd expect news this afternoon or evening.

If there's not news by this evening, I'd be a little concerned that Fleck either turned something down because of Kill's words, BOR didn't want it (unlikely from what I've heard), or something unforeseen. Again, I haven't been given any indication it won't be Fleck, though. I don't mean to cause panic and don't believe there should be any panic right now -- just writing this because today is very likely the day.

THURSDAY AM UPDATE PT. 2 (11:21am)

The Regents have been told that the search is over and two candidates that Minnesota has reached out to want the job. One of them I imagine to be Fleck, and given what we know, I would be pretty surprised if he's not the one with an offer.

I would not expect any last-minute interference from the Regents. Coyle spent a lot of time getting them on board with the decision to get rid of Claeys and what was next.

Also, there's this tweet from Dan Barreiro:
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Again, every conversation I've had leads me to believe that Fleck has strong interest in Minnesota, and the Gophers have strong interest in him. I believe he's the top target and will most likely be the guy.

Could Kill's words deter Fleck? It's definitely possible. Remember, Fleck was an assistant under Kill. I was told by one person that Kill was one of several who recommended Fleck to Western Michigan. Fleck sent Kill an oar in 2013 after a seizure episode. I don't think the two necessarily talk frequently, but I believe Fleck has quite a bit of respect for Kill. On the flip side, regardless of the respect Fleck has for Kill, the conversations I've had suggest that his ambition and personality would make him likely to still make the jump to Minnesota. Someone I spoke with and trust is adamant that Fleck is looking to leave Western Michigan this season and that he's determined Minnesota to be a very good fit (independent from Kill's words).

Lastly, I've messaged a few Western Michigan recruits and while of course they all say they expect Fleck to be back next season, they haven't been told for sure that he will be. Also, worth noting just for amusement: their language kind of mirrors Fleck's, which I found kind of funny.

Other updates:

• Troy Calhoun has had a lot of success at Air Force but always seemed content staying there. I'm told he wants out of Air Force bad now, and that's why I included him on my initial list of other names to know about. I know that he interviewed at Purdue.
• Craig Bohl I'm told is very loyal to Wyoming. That doesn't necessarily mean that Minnesota couldn't flip him, but I don't think it would be the guarantee that everyone thinks.

Links: Initial thoughts: Claeys' replacement // My thoughts on the status of every commit // Commits react to Claeys being fired // Coyle presser summary // Coyle presser video // Recap: Glen Mason discusses Claeys firing //

Love the inside info stuff, but looking for official worf!

Cold in Evanston but hope the Golden Gophers heat up the nets...

Should be a good matchup and test for the young Gophers. Good guard play and bigs staying out of foul trouble will be the difference.

How many assists for Mason? How many blocks for Reggie?

Heading over to the arena for the game at 8 pm. Looking forward to the Golden Gophers notching another road win. #GoGophers #GoldenDunkers

News just out...Gopher 149# starter RS Freshman Fredy Stroker announced on Twitter that he is going to transfer. Stroker has had trouble cutting down to 149 and his results there have not been up to expectations. And, it was made worse last weekend, after he lost all his matches at the Southern Scuffle and lost his starting role to Carson Brolsma, who finished higher than Stroker. Fredy would like to wrestle at 157, but Junior Jake Short is entrenched there for this year and next.

I suppose this could still change, but it seems like his decision's been made. A tough loss as he was an elite recruit that I thought would go AA at least twice!!




BREAKING: Fredy Stroker (Minnesota) to Transfer
Written by: Alex Steen in College Wrestling News 01/05/2017 0


Fredy Stroker, a redshirt freshman who wrestled for Minnesota at the Southern Scuffle, has announced he will transfer to another Division I institution to compete at 157 pounds. He had been competing at 149 pounds for the Gophers. Minnesota confirmed that Stroker met with coaches and both sides agreed that a transfer was for the best. Stroker will be granted a full release. Fredy entered the season with high expectations but has struggled, posting a 7-7 record. He will begin searching for a new school immediately.

The following was posted to Stroker’s Twitter account.




Follow
Fredy Stroker III@thefsiii


A new chapter in my story...

2:56 PM - 5 Jan 2017

Ethan Lizak came back from suspension last weekend at the Southern Scuffle, and wrestled incredibly well winning the 125 lb. title. Lizak was so dominant, with his length, and his tremendous ability on top, that he just crushed the field!!!

Ethan has jumped all the way up to 6th in this week's Intermat rankings, and he probably should be ranked 4th right now...behind Seniors Thomas Gilman (IA) and Joey Dance (VA Tech), and Freshman sensation Nick Suriano (PSU). Lizak will face unbeaten Suriano (who was 159-0 in HS) in the Gopher - PSU dual on Friday night at the Sports Pavilion.

Honestly, I thought Gilman would be the obvious Natty Champ at this weight this year, but Lizak has a real shot to not only be a high AA, but also to be a Champ!!!

We have a lot of good wrestlers, but Lizak himself is worth the price of admission. He's that good!!!

Here's an article on Lizak from Gophersports.com:


Ethan Lizak Named Co-B1G Wrestler of the Week

Lizak's bonus-point heavy march to the 125-pound title at the Southern Scuffle earned him this week's conference distinction



Gophersports.com
Jan. 3, 2017

The Big Ten conference announced today that Ethan Lizak earned co-Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors for his bonus-point heavy march to the 125-pound title at last weekend's Southern Scuffle. Lizak joins teammate Brett Pfarr as a Big Ten weekly honoree this season. Pfarr earned the award on Nov. 29. Lizak will share this week's honor with Iowa 125-pounded Thomas Gilman.

Lizak, the Scuffle's seventh seed at 125 pounds, won all five of his matches with bonus points - four major decisions and a tech fall. In his last three contests, Lizak defeated ranked opponents: No. 6 Darian Cruz (Lehigh), No. 12 Nick Piccininni (Oklahoma State) and No. 11 Jack Mueller (Virginia), all by major decision. In total, Lizak rolled through his competition by a cumulative score of 61-9, or an average of 12-2. Lizak was the first Gopher to win a Southern Scuffle title since 2014. He also helped the Gophers to a fourth-place finish with 118 team points, the program's best showing in the event since 2014.

Lizak's return to the lineup on Sunday for the opening day of the Scuffle was his first action wrestling attached for Minnesota since the 2015 NCAA Championships at the end of his true freshman season. In the interim, Lizak had built up a collection of wins and titles dominating competition on the open tournament circuit. His return for the Scuffle was a step up in competition, but that did little to change Lizak's results.

Lizak and the Gophers return to action this Friday, when Minnesota hosts No. 2 Penn State at the Sports Pavilion. Tickets for the dual are still available by visiting MyGopherSports.com

I think political correctness is ruining about anything that it is attached especially education.. I get the intent and importance of Title IX though I think "underrepresented gender" is obsolete, statistically. I also think it is the "white elephant" in the room as to who is enforcing these rules and to how it affects current students as well as just athletes.. I admit, maybe in ignorance, that I feel if Minnesota cannot clean up the relationships between these watchdog groups like the EOAA and the athletic department, that there may be NO CHANCE of ever succeeding in football again..

Surely, I believe in accountability.. If these players were guilty of sexual harassment, they should be punished swiftly and justly, according to existing law. It just seems we can't get out of our own way and the solution seems so far off, on the university's end of things. We have a scandal or 2 on a YEARLY BASIS in the athletic department, it seems. I think we are trying to recruit good young men and I don't think we are encouraging kids to be renegades and sexual deviants. Yet, there is always drama being created.. I dont get it, apparently.

I don't mind asking the politically incorrect questions, because I know in my heart I am not bigotted.I am interested in creating an environment that puts us on equal footing with our other conference colleges. Is it a problem of the feminist/lesbian presence in these groups that has been suggested before as the "L factor"?? Are they looking for equality or trying to further a political agenda that flies in the face of anyone trying to stop them for any reason?? Obviously, "PC" is much more a culture of people than just anyone feminist or homosexual. Other universities are liberal with 'PC" influence including the rival to the east(Wisconsin) and the rival to the south(Iowa). Don't hear these problems in the liberal environments of those schools so maybe that is not the problem. Michigan is liberal as are probably most environments at big Universities across the US but Minnesota seems to always be on the forefront of some problem.

Is the "PC" environment the problem and can it be fixed, even if that means stepping on toes and litigation?? What kind of solutions should be offered in the BIG PICTURE, that both solve existing problems and prevent new problems, from the University's end of things???

The "TREMENDOUS TWO" on the Board of Regents will start looking into this whole salary business like they wanted to after prexy k and Teague bestowed Dick Pitino with such a HUGE buy out clause on that norwood's disgraced way out the door back in 2015?) The stench coming from the administration at the University of Minnesota and the athletic department is something the equal rights committee should really weigh in on.

I was extremely disappointed with his response about never stepping onto the campus again. I supported him and his program when he was here. I know he is angry but he also has kids he recruited to MN and he makes that comment. All I can say is "Wow".

1 of the 10:

Maybe I'm in the minority but I have just assumed that particularly of the first 5, none would stay. Then regarding the next 5, you have a mixed bag of some gone and some stay.

However,
Login to view embedded media Based on Ray Buford's quote, he clearly seems to like PJ.

Do some of these guys potentially stick around?? (assuming the EEOC let's them). I just assumed they'd be gone.

After the Purdue game, I'm thinking we have a pretty good chance at going .500 in B1G play which hopefully will get the job done for a tourney birth. It appears that the various metrics used to determine who makes the dance is pretty favorable for us at the moment. I'm looking forward to seeing how the boys respond after having a taste of success with the big road W, I think they did a pretty good job in non-conference keeping it together and not slipping up.

Tonight's game tonight IMO is a toss-up, NW has had a very nice season so far and I believe have a similar RPI. Vegas has the Cats at -4 and that arena of theirs has been a death trap for a while. Speaking of traps, still have nightmares of that stupid 1-3-1 half court trap that Tubby could never figure out.