Coming off of back-to-back nine-win seasons with two bowl victories, P.J. Fleck has built positive momentum on the field for his Minnesota football program. But, according to a report from Front Office Sports that cited multiple former players, the culture within the team does not match the outwardly positive “Row the Boat” mantra popularized by the veteran coach.
The report from A.J. Perez released on Wednesday includes details from anonymous players—some of whom were starters—that painted a negative picture of Fleck and the coaching staff, with numerous issues including a lax stance on players failing drug tests and excessive workouts being used as punishments for violating rules.
Players detailed a system called the “Fleck Bank” in which members of the team accumulated “coins” via various community service endeavors, which could be used to skirt consequences for failed drug tests and other team rules violations. They also used the word “cult” to describe Fleck’s “Row the Boat” culture, which he used during his time at Western Michigan. In 2021 he released a book under the same title, detailing his philosophy.
Among the bizarre practices, players noted, was that they were required to all give a round of applause any time Fleck entered a room.
“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,” one player said.
The U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health conducted a review of the program after a medical staff member in the athletics department raised concerns about training practices. The report, obtained by Sports Illustrated, did not single out any individual Minnesota programs, though noted that interviews with athletes indicated that exercises were being used as punishments.
“Regardless of the number of incidents of exercise punishment that have occurred, the practice must be ended immediately,” the report read. “Significant safety issues are always the concern when physical workouts are used as a form of punishment.”
Players also noted that Fleck pressured the team’s medical staff to clear injured players to return to play before they were ready.
“Those [athletic] trainers did a lot of things because Fleck forced their hand in that medical room,” the player said. “Whether that would be getting guys back earlier than they should have been or minimizing the seriousness of some pretty horrendous injuries, a lot of the trainers [treating players under Fleck] did a lot of things that they maybe shouldn’t have done—even if they didn’t agree with it—because of Fleck.”
Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle denied the claims and defended Fleck in a statement to Front Office Sports.
“P.J. and our program are unique,” Coyle said. “They put themselves out there in new and different ways — but always in a first-class manner — and after nearly seven years, it is clear to me, that is what makes P.J. and our program so successful.
“I always encourage all of our student-athletes, including every member of our football team, to reach out to me directly if they encounter any issues. To date, I have not heard from a single football student-athlete about the allegations raised.”
