PJ opened up saying he was doing “Elite” and that he loves the St. Louis area. There’s a lot of talent in the St. Louis area for the 2018 class, Fleck said that the University of Minnesota will make our presence known in St. Louis and Kansas City area. Mentioned Rey Estes, as well as Merrick Jackson that are both from that area.
Bernie questioned Fleck’s tactics and why it works for him, PJ credited the coaching staff for being as good as they are, so it allows him to focus on things that he is good at. “We have a lot of energy, have a lot of vision, we have a lot of motivation in our program. It’s an incredibly positive program all the time. It’s a big breath of fresh air for people these days. We aren’t trying to be anybody, we’re trying to be ourselves.”
As for how he got started coaching, Coach Fleck said he is a teacher and an educator at heart. He taught sixth grade social studies for three weeks out of college before going to the NFL. After a few years in the NFL he was cut my Mike Nolan, and then offered a job by him the same day as a coach. Jim Tressel offered him a Graduate Assistant job after that and then Joe Novak, who was Fleck’s former coach at Northern Illinois, offered him his first full-time job. Fleck credited them for believing in him that he could be a great coach one day.
One of PJ’s biggest motivators and believers growing up was his mother, and he credits her positivity for raising him to be positive and find silver lining in every situation. “There’s always a reason why something was happening, and how I was going to respond to situations was going to be different than anyone else.”
The phrase “Row The Boat” was inquired about on the show, and how that came about. Fleck said “Row The Boat” is a never give up mantra. His son passed away due to a heart condition and “Row The Boat” represents his life. The oar is the energy you bring to your life; you control if you keep the oar in the water and row through the bad weather in life. The boat is the sacrifice; what are you willing to give up to achieve in your life. The third part is the compass, the people you surround yourself with. “If you surround yourself with Elite people, you’ll become Elite. If you surround yourself with idiots, you’ll do idiotic things.”
Coach Fleck said he’s only been there six weeks and hasn’t seen anyone throw a ball or tackle anybody, but that he likes that this team has will. They’ve been through turmoil, but they’ve moved on and want to be the best people they can be on and off the field. “They’ve embraced Row the Boat and embraced our culture. I really look forward to working with them.” He also mentioned that the University of Minnesota has won seven national titles, but has been dormant for the past few years. “All we have to do is wake it up.”
Bernie questioned Fleck’s tactics and why it works for him, PJ credited the coaching staff for being as good as they are, so it allows him to focus on things that he is good at. “We have a lot of energy, have a lot of vision, we have a lot of motivation in our program. It’s an incredibly positive program all the time. It’s a big breath of fresh air for people these days. We aren’t trying to be anybody, we’re trying to be ourselves.”
As for how he got started coaching, Coach Fleck said he is a teacher and an educator at heart. He taught sixth grade social studies for three weeks out of college before going to the NFL. After a few years in the NFL he was cut my Mike Nolan, and then offered a job by him the same day as a coach. Jim Tressel offered him a Graduate Assistant job after that and then Joe Novak, who was Fleck’s former coach at Northern Illinois, offered him his first full-time job. Fleck credited them for believing in him that he could be a great coach one day.
One of PJ’s biggest motivators and believers growing up was his mother, and he credits her positivity for raising him to be positive and find silver lining in every situation. “There’s always a reason why something was happening, and how I was going to respond to situations was going to be different than anyone else.”
The phrase “Row The Boat” was inquired about on the show, and how that came about. Fleck said “Row The Boat” is a never give up mantra. His son passed away due to a heart condition and “Row The Boat” represents his life. The oar is the energy you bring to your life; you control if you keep the oar in the water and row through the bad weather in life. The boat is the sacrifice; what are you willing to give up to achieve in your life. The third part is the compass, the people you surround yourself with. “If you surround yourself with Elite people, you’ll become Elite. If you surround yourself with idiots, you’ll do idiotic things.”
Coach Fleck said he’s only been there six weeks and hasn’t seen anyone throw a ball or tackle anybody, but that he likes that this team has will. They’ve been through turmoil, but they’ve moved on and want to be the best people they can be on and off the field. “They’ve embraced Row the Boat and embraced our culture. I really look forward to working with them.” He also mentioned that the University of Minnesota has won seven national titles, but has been dormant for the past few years. “All we have to do is wake it up.”
