Minnesota’s offense will experience a bit of a change next season. With Kirk Ciarrocca headed to Penn State to call plays for the Nittany Lions, the Golden Gophers had to make some staff changes.

Head coach P.J. Fleck was quick to make a decision, hiring former Western Kentucky head coach Mike Sanford Jr. to be the offensive coordinator for the 2020 season. He also decided to promote Matt Simon to co-offensive coordinator, following Minnesota’s outstanding performance in the Outback Bowl against Auburn.

On Sunday, Fleck joined WCCO radio to talk about the season, the Outback Bowl victory and moving forward with some of the changes to the staff. He did give some brief detail into what some of the staff assignments will be next season, following the changes.

According to Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press, Fleck said the Sanford will call the plays for Minnesota next season, taking over for Ciarrocca. And following his great gameplan for Auburn, Simon will have a more integral role in strategy and gameplanning for the Gophers next fall.

Replacing Ciarrocca will be a tough task considering the success the Gophers enjoyed offensively this season. Minnesota averaged 34.1 points per game, good enough for the third-best total in the B1G. The 432 yards per game average was good enough for fourth in the conference, as well.

Minnesota finished the 2019 season with an 11-2 mark, one of the best years in program history. The Gophers capped it with a 31-24 victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.