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MINNEAPOLIS — The backbone structure of Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck’s new contract remains the same from the seven-year deal he signed in 2019. It was amended in 2021 and again this week.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press obtained a copy of the new contract on Thursday evening. Here are six takeaways:
- Fleck’s term is extended one year to end on Dec. 31, 2029.
- His supplemental compensation increases from $3.5 million to $4.5 million. His base salary is $1.5 million from the 2021 amendment and remains unchanged for a new total pay of $6 million. The total compensation over the term is $42 million.
- The supplemental salary pool for assistants and staff has an additional $1 million. Last year, $350,000 was added to the pot for a net increase of $650,000. The 10 on-field assistant coaches earned a combined $4.3 million last season.
- There are no changes to the buyout if Fleck were to leave Minnesota on his own accord. It will be a $10 million payment to the Gophers in Year 1 of the new contract, $7 million in Year 2, $5 million in Year 3, $4 million in Year 4, $3 million in Year 5, $2 million in Year 6 and zero in Year 7.
- Conversely, the legalese on if Fleck is terminated without cause is unchanged. He will be owed 65% of the remaining base salary and supplemental compensation over the rest of the term.
- Fleck’s incentives also change, most notably, there are no longer $100,000 payouts for eight and nine regular-season wins. Instead, Fleck will receive $50,000 for each Big Ten victory to go above a .500 winning percentage. If that were in play this year at 5-4 in the Big Ten, Fleck would get a $50,000 bonus. Under the previous terms, he received $100,000 for reaching eight total wins. There are also new bonuses for reaching bowl games and the College Football Playoff.
Syracuse brain drain
Syracuse, the Gophers’ opponent in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 29, had both offensive and defensive coordinators take other jobs on Thursday, per reports.
Defensive coordinator Tony White will take the same role with Nebraska, and offensive coordinator Robert Anae will move into the same position at North Carolina State.
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Briefly
Fleck’s contract language includes the possibility that the Big Ten goes from a nine-game to a 10-game conference schedule. … Six of the Gophers’ 10 on-field assistants have contracts that expire at the end of January, including running backs coach Kenni Burns, who has been included in head coaching searches over the past few years. The list also has receivers coach Matt Simon, special-teams coordinator Rob Wenger, cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes, tight ends coach Greg Harbaugh and safeties coach Danny Collins. … Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and defensive line coach Brick Haley have deals through January 2024. … Offensive line coach Brian Callahan is signed through January 2025.
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