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The Minnesota Gophers are fresh off an upset win over new Big 10 rival USC, besting the Trojans 24-17 at home. The victory ended a two-game losing skid after seeing the team fall to Iowa and Michigan in back-to-back weeks.
Head coach PJ Fleck filled fans in on a midweek tactic used to change the mindsets of his Minnesota players.
He said while making a radio appearance on Tuesday that he gave the Gophers an “antidote of confidence,” which came in the form of a capsule filled with Sprite.
Nugget: #Gophers coach PJ Fleck said on @KFAN1003 show that players were given an “antidote of confidence” last Wednesday after their tough Michigan loss. The players drank the capsules, which contained Sprite, and then upset USC on Saturday.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) October 8, 2024
The odd strategy worked as the Gophers overcame a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to escape with a win. Minnesota was confident when it mattered most, punching in a late touchdown to cap its final drive with a go-ahead score.
The “antidote” is far from the first strange tactic PJ Fleck’s implemented to provide structure and motivation for his football team. His quirky approach isn’t for everyone.
Last offseason, former Minnesota players accused the coach of creating a toxic culture in Minneapolis, going as far as to compare Fleck’s program to that of a cult.
Front Office Sports detailed the accusations in a story published prior to the start of the 2023 season.
They described an environment fraught with intimidation and toxicity and referenced the “Fleck Bank” — a system that allowed players with enough “coins” to get away with positive drug tests, and other violations of team rules.
Unprompted, the term “cult” was used by multiple former players and former staff members to describe Fleck’s “Row the Boat” culture spelled out in the so-called “Fleck Book” that players are given when they join the team.
“We had to [practice giving Fleck ovations] multiple times — the first time, because some other people in the back were not moving as quick as he wanted,” a player told FOS.
Two other former players said that Fleck would reenter a room if he didn’t like the ovation he received.
Nothing ever came from the culture claims, which Fleck called “baseless.” Still, the accusations painted the program in a bad and bizarre light.
The Minnesota head coach doesn’t seem too worried about the outside perception, and he’s continuing to do what he sees as the best way to motivate players.