Gophers Coach P.J. Fleck has strongly denied allegations of player mistreatment within his team. The accusations, published by Front Office Sports, claimed that Fleck had created a cult-like culture, with players facing punishing workouts and unfair drug testing procedures if they didn’t comply. However, Fleck has refuted these claims, stating that they are baseless and similar stories emerge every year.
Fleck also addressed the mention of a Fleck Bank in the report, where players supposedly earned coins to offset positive drug tests and other violations. He clarified that the Fleck Bank was simply an analogy used in team meetings to emphasize the importance of investing in the program. According to Fleck, no currency or actual coins were involved.
The athletic director of the Gophers, Mark Coyle, also defended Fleck, dismissing the report and supporting the coach. In addition, current and former players took to Twitter to express their support for Fleck, with one even labeling the report as fake news.
Fleck emphasized that physical activity is not used as a disciplinary measure within his program. Instead, players engage in tasks such as cleaning the weight room or watching videos related to their mistakes. They may also need to write apology letters to professors if they are late to class. Fleck made it clear that the disciplinary actions for all sports are now handled by the athletic department.
Regarding injuries, Fleck stated that his team is mostly healthy as they prepare for training camp. Two players who missed spring practice, wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell and defensive end Chris Collins, are expected to be ready when camp begins. However, defensive lineman Luke Finnessy will not be available at the start of camp due to an undisclosed injury.
Fleck’s denial of the mistreatment allegations, along with the support he has received from players and the athletic director, suggests that there may be differing opinions on the situation within the Gophers football program. As the team moves forward and prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will likely shift towards on-field performance and player development.
