P.J. Fleck, Gophers agree to 1-year contract extension

P.J. Fleck talks summer recruiting, Big Ten schedule at youth camp

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck held a youth football came at the University of Minnesota on Wednesday. FOX 9 Sports Director Jim Rich caught up with him to talk summer recruiting, the benefits of camps and keeping the Big Ten schedule at nine games.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - P.J. Fleck and the University of Minnesota agreed to a one-year contract extension Thursday that keeps him with the Gophers through the 2030 season.

Fleck is entering his ninth season with the Gophers and led them to an 8-5 mark in 2024, which ended with a mayonnaise bath after being Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Fleck is 56-39 in eight seasons with the Gophers, including 33-36 in Big Ten play and 6-0 in bowl games.

Minnesota re-worked Fleck's contract before last season, when he was getting interest for the head coaching job at UCLA.

The contract

What we know:

Fleck earned $6 million this past season, including a $700,000 retention bonus. If the university were to terminate his contract after the 2025 season without cause, it would cost the school 70% of Fleck’s total remaining compensation, or $30 million.

If Fleck were to leave for a broadcasting job or any other coaching position, he would pay Minnesota $5.5 million next year. That number drops to $4.5 million in 2026, and $3 million in 2027.

Under the new contract, Fleck is the 11th-highest-paid head coach in the 18-team Big Ten.