I haven't posted much recently but wanted to share some rambling thoughts on Fleck and the state of the program. As has been stated many times, Fleck's personality, culture, etc. are not for everybody. That's ok, he's comfortable where he's at, and everyone has traits and mannerisms that aren't a great fit with others. However, the fact that he and his culture are so unique, is a huge strength in where this program can go.
I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 models to have a chance to achieve relative, sustained success in the Big 10. 1) Be a helmet school, and then be strong with systems and game day coaching (Michigan, Ohio St. and recently Penn St.); 2) Recruit close to helmet school level and then be really strong with systems, development and game day coaching. (Mich. St. as a good example, and Nebraska as an example that hasn't worked); 3) Be really strong in recruiting identification (finding under the radar studs), and then very strong in systems and development (Wisconsin as good example and Iowa as sporadic example).
I believe our prior staff was marching towards #3, where we should beat the bottom teams, and be in games with the rest of the teams with a chance to win every time. When Claeys and staff were let go, I certainly had issues with the hows and whys, and didn't think most of the "flavor of the year" hot coaches, would necessarily be any improvement on some of the strengths of the past staff.
Fleck and staff get hired, and we immediately move to the model of Mich. St. and Nebraska, with hopefully better results than the latter. As we know, it is traditionally not easy to recruit to Minnesota for various reasons. We have improved some of the negatives, TCF, new facilities, but it still is an uphill battle for many of the upper end national and local recruits. I believe that 95% of the coaches we could have hired, putting aside the immediate excitement and recruiting bump . . . would not have been able to recruit good enough to take the Gophers to another level.
My main point: Fleck, staff, and culture are so unique for recruits, parents, high school coaches, etc., that it sets himself apart from almost all others on the recruiting trail. His culture will clearly not be for everybody. Heck, it can be somewhat divisive for the fan base and on these boards. But he has the ability to sell a product that is unmatched in focus and goals. That is why I'm now excited to see where this recruiting can take us. For those that have angst over local recruits like Carroll and lesser extent Benhart, you have to remember that even though we have a great recruiting staff, this culture won't be for everyone including the locals that have legacy ties (putting aside the issue of some wanting to get away regardless).
Recruiting for me is both selling your product (working hard with sincerity), but just as importantly identifying players that will fit and potentially be under the radar at the time (ie. Bateman). You can't just find guys that are rated high and athletic (ie. Texas). I am confident that Fleck and staff cover both ends of recruiting well as there have been many early offers and interest on recruits that simply blow up through the cycle. I also have confidence in the development based upon practice reports and history at WMU.
Now if I can continue to get some confidence on the systems (offensive and defensive coordinators) that they will be stable (un-Brewster like), and the right fit for the conference and players recruited, and just as important, confidence in the game-day coaching, I will be completely sold. I am hoping some of the lack of adjustments on game days last year, were simply year 1 (0) stubbornness to sticking to and developing their own system.
TLDR: I think Fleck's unique culture, even if it doesn't strike a chord with all recruits and us fans, will give us a great chance to see heights we haven't seen in some time.
I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 models to have a chance to achieve relative, sustained success in the Big 10. 1) Be a helmet school, and then be strong with systems and game day coaching (Michigan, Ohio St. and recently Penn St.); 2) Recruit close to helmet school level and then be really strong with systems, development and game day coaching. (Mich. St. as a good example, and Nebraska as an example that hasn't worked); 3) Be really strong in recruiting identification (finding under the radar studs), and then very strong in systems and development (Wisconsin as good example and Iowa as sporadic example).
I believe our prior staff was marching towards #3, where we should beat the bottom teams, and be in games with the rest of the teams with a chance to win every time. When Claeys and staff were let go, I certainly had issues with the hows and whys, and didn't think most of the "flavor of the year" hot coaches, would necessarily be any improvement on some of the strengths of the past staff.
Fleck and staff get hired, and we immediately move to the model of Mich. St. and Nebraska, with hopefully better results than the latter. As we know, it is traditionally not easy to recruit to Minnesota for various reasons. We have improved some of the negatives, TCF, new facilities, but it still is an uphill battle for many of the upper end national and local recruits. I believe that 95% of the coaches we could have hired, putting aside the immediate excitement and recruiting bump . . . would not have been able to recruit good enough to take the Gophers to another level.
My main point: Fleck, staff, and culture are so unique for recruits, parents, high school coaches, etc., that it sets himself apart from almost all others on the recruiting trail. His culture will clearly not be for everybody. Heck, it can be somewhat divisive for the fan base and on these boards. But he has the ability to sell a product that is unmatched in focus and goals. That is why I'm now excited to see where this recruiting can take us. For those that have angst over local recruits like Carroll and lesser extent Benhart, you have to remember that even though we have a great recruiting staff, this culture won't be for everyone including the locals that have legacy ties (putting aside the issue of some wanting to get away regardless).
Recruiting for me is both selling your product (working hard with sincerity), but just as importantly identifying players that will fit and potentially be under the radar at the time (ie. Bateman). You can't just find guys that are rated high and athletic (ie. Texas). I am confident that Fleck and staff cover both ends of recruiting well as there have been many early offers and interest on recruits that simply blow up through the cycle. I also have confidence in the development based upon practice reports and history at WMU.
Now if I can continue to get some confidence on the systems (offensive and defensive coordinators) that they will be stable (un-Brewster like), and the right fit for the conference and players recruited, and just as important, confidence in the game-day coaching, I will be completely sold. I am hoping some of the lack of adjustments on game days last year, were simply year 1 (0) stubbornness to sticking to and developing their own system.
TLDR: I think Fleck's unique culture, even if it doesn't strike a chord with all recruits and us fans, will give us a great chance to see heights we haven't seen in some time.
