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P.J. Fleck calls new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr ‘one of brightest young minds in the game’
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P.J. Fleck is building something at Minnesota. In his first year with the Golden Gophers, he finished 5-7 overall. He then went 7-6 the next season.
Year 3 has come to a close and Minnesota went 11-2. With the rise of a program comes the dismantling of the coaching assistants. It’s natural.
Oh, that team had a great offense, defense, quarterback, running back, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker group, secondary or special teams unit? Away goes that respective coach to a bigger job with more money at a new school.
It’s rare when a coaching staff stays together year after year after year.
RELATED: Report: Minnesota takes Utah State OC Mike Sanford Jr. to fill same position
So when Minnesota lost offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca to Penn State, it had a whole to fill. That position got filled Friday when news broke that the Gophers poached Mike Sanford Jr. away from Utah State to become their newest offensive coordinator.
It has been reported that he will share his duties with wide receivers coach Matt Simon, serving as a co-offensive coordinator.
Hours after the news broke of Sanford’s hiring, Fleck issued a statement:
#Gophers coach PJ Fleck's statement in announcing Mike Sanford Jr. as offensive coordinator:
"I have known Mike for many years. He will be an elite addition to our staff. Mike is one of brightest young minds in the game and brings wealth of experience to our (staff, system)."
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) January 3, 2020
As Fleck stated, he is one of the brightest young minds in the game. After all, Sanford is just 37-years-old and was a quarterback at Boise State from 2000-04.
Sometimes, old is better. Other times, youthful people can be best. The Gophers are certainly hoping for the latter.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.