Petition calling for Tracy Claeys to be fired reaches Minnesota athletic department following bowl win

A win in the Holiday Bowl on Monday night didn’t quiet Tracy Claeys’ critics.

The morning after Minnesota posted a 17-12 win over Washington State in San Diego, a petition calling for Claeys’ to be fired because of a tweet he sent out when players boycotted all football activities because of a suspension that removed 10 players from the team.

This was the message sent out from Claeys’ Twitter account:

Have never been more proud of our kids. I respect their rights & support their effort to make a better world! 〽️????

— GoldenGopherHFC (@GoldenGopherHFC) December 16, 2016

People who signed the petition cite the tweet as inappropriate.

An excerpt from the petition states:

Claeys’ tweet expressing his pride in the team failed to mention or acknowledge the importance of respecting women.

The petition has obtained more than 2,200 signatures and will be seen by the athletic department on Tuesday, according to Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press:

Petition calling for #Gophers coach Tracy Claeys to be fired has 2,200 signatures and will be presented to athletic department this morning.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) December 28, 2016

Minnesota’s win in the Holiday Bowl improved the Gophers record to 9-4 on the season. It’s the first time the program has won more than eight games since 2003, when the Gophers went 10-3.

Claeys is now 2-0 in bowl games as the head coach.