Report: Fleck to join Minnesota as head coach on 5-year deal

Minnesota has hired former Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck to lead the Golden Gophers, a source told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Fleck will reportedly sign a five-year deal worth roughly $17.5 million.

It was reported Thursday night that the two sides were close to an agreement. Former LSU head coach Les Miles was said to be the school's fallback option.

Fleck would replace Tracy Claeys, who was fired Monday, largely due to his support of a player-led boycott after 10 players were suspended for the Holiday Bowl over an alleged sexual assault earlier in the season.

Fleck took over a downtrodden Broncos program in 2013, going 1-11 his first season before finishing 13-1 in 2016 en route to a Cotton Bowl berth.