Minnesota Golden Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck has refuted recent accusations of player mistreatment, labeling them as "unfounded." A report from Front Office Sports detailed claims from former players alleging Fleck disregarded positive drug tests and other rules violations for players who earned "sufficient goodwill" through a points system known as the "Fleck Bank." Fleck countered, stating the report's claims have undergone multiple investigations since 2017, yielding no evidence of wrongdoing.
The Fleck Bank reportedly tracked player community service, including visits to the University of Minnesota Medical Center with Fleck, and monitored study habits. Former players also alleged Fleck implemented punishments involving excessive workouts and described the program's culture as "cult-like," drawing comparisons to Fleck's "Row The Boat" philosophy, outlined in his 2021 book of the same name.
Fleck defended his program's culture, emphasizing its effectiveness both on and off the field and highlighting numerous positive testimonials from past, present, and future Gophers players. He further stated the program offers six different channels for players to report mistreatment, including one directly to Athletic Director Mark Coyle, who confirmed to Front Office Sports that no such complaints regarding the football program had been received.
Regarding the Fleck Bank, Fleck clarified it was an analogy used during his initial two seasons (2017-2018) to illustrate player commitment to the team. He emphasized no actual currency was involved and that it simply served as a life lesson about investment, not a means to avoid consequences.
Fleck attributed the allegations to a former staff member harboring a personal vendetta against him and the program.
In the wake of the Northwestern University hazing scandal, such allegations are being treated with heightened seriousness by institutions nationwide.
