Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck sees positives in Year One troubles

Yes, the Gophers football team had a rough year, getting shut out by Northwestern and Wisconsin in their final two games by a combined score of 70-0 and finishing with a 5-7 record (2-7 Big Ten). But P.J. Fleck, not wanting to give any alibis, says many coaches struggle during their first season at a new school.

"You see the broad spectrum of the best of times and the worst of times, but that's part of Year 1," Fleck said. "You see that a lot in Year 1 teams, when they have a brand-new culture and new offensive systems and defensive systems and special teams. You see that. I still remember back at our 1-11 season at Western Michigan [in 2013], we got beat 33-0, I think it was against Buffalo."

Fleck pointed out that even Barry Alvarez went 1-10 his first year at Wisconsin and was 0-8 in the Big Ten in 1990, then had back-to-back 5-6 seasons before having a winning season and going on to win three Rose Bowls.

Still, Fleck said he believes the team had a winning season in several ways beyond the field.

"We're winning in every aspect of what we're doing. We're winning in recruiting, we're winning in facility development, we're winning in our culture, we're winning in the serving and giving department, too," Fleck said. "We're winning in terms of the development of our players on and off the field."

Fleck did have 22 players injured for spring practice, a big blow for a first-year head coach. Then players such as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and sophomore wide receiver Tyler Johnson missed extended playing time after suffering injuries during the season.

"I think eight guys have been out a significant amount of time," Fleck said. "What's happened is that the eight that have been out have been significant injuries to significant players that we couldn't afford to lose."

"They've all given their fair share to the program. They've done a lot at different levels, but again any time you have a senior class moving on, it's a very special time," he said. "I'm very proud of their service and what they've done for the University of Minnesota."

Fleck said there is no question that some recruits are going to have to step up and play right away. The Gophers also had 34 redshirt players this season, and some of those players should contribute quickly.

"We will win here," Fleck said. "It's just going to take a little longer than everybody wants. The problem is everybody has heard that for a lot of years. I can only tell you what I see and the type of process that I know works. It is going to take a while."

And when it comes to offseason plans?

"We're going to hit the road recruiting immediately."

"Well, I've given up trying to figure out how people recruit," Grant said. "… [Linebacker Ryan] Connelly had a great day for Wisconsin [with two sacks and six tackles in a 31-0 victory over the Gophers on Saturday], and I couldn't convince Minnesota to recruit him [in 2014]. … But everybody has to do what they have to do.

"Montero has been a great player for us for a couple years. I always look for players who just make plays. Height and weight isn't the most important thing to me. Like I said, I just coach high school football and I don't know what anybody thinks about."

Grant said only one of his players, defensive back Benny Sapp III, has a Division I scholarship.

"Benny Sapp only played two games [because of a knee injury] but is going to Minnesota. Montero, I know Air Force is very interested, but other than that, that's it," he said. "We have some D-II kids."

Marc Trestman worked for Larry Tanenbaum when he coached the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. Trestman won two Grey Cups in back-to-back seasons (2009, 2010) there before leaving to become an NFL head coach.

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Sid Hartman can be heard on WCCO AM-830 at 8:40 a.m.