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P.J. Fleck explains early impact James Franklin had on his coaching career

Teddy Rydquist

By Teddy Rydquist

Published:

Appearing on The Jim Rome Show on CBS Sports Radio, P.J. Fleck, head coach of the 8-0 Minnesota Golden Gophers, was very complimentary of his opponent on Saturday, James Franklin.

Minnesota football’s official Twitter account shared the audio:

Beginning his career in coaching as a graduate assistant with Ohio State in 2006, Fleck then spent three seasons with the Northern Illinois Huskies.

After spending the 2012 season in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the team’s wide receivers coach, he returned to the collegiate ranks as Western Michigan’s head coach in 2013.

Winning 30 games in his fours years in Kalamazoo, Fleck is now in his third year in charge of the Gophers.

Having two more years of head coaching experience than Fleck, Franklin oversaw the Vanderbilt Commodores program from 2011-13. In his sixth season at the helm in State College, he has led Penn State to a bowl game in each of his previous five seasons.

Saturday’s action between No. 4 Penn State and No. 17 Minnesota from TCF Bank Stadium will kick at 12:00PM ET on ABC.

Teddy Rydquist

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.