Fleck claims he took a 'major pay cut' to become Minnesota's HC

P.J. Fleck was one of the hottest names on the market at the conclusion of the 2016 season, though it took him until Jan. 6 to become Minnesota's new head coach.

Speaking on Jim Rome's radio show, Fleck said "nobody knows" he took "a major pay cut" going from Western Michigan of the MAC to Minnesota of the Big Ten, according to Chris Vannini of CoachingSearch.com.

Fleck signed a five-year, $18-million contract with Minnesota that included a substantial buyout and bonuses, giving him a base salary of $3 million a year.

In December 2014, Fleck signed a six-year extension that paid him $800,000 a year at Western Michigan. After bonuses, his 2016 salary exceeded $1 million, according to the Detroit News.

That report also stated that Western Michigan and Fleck were close to another extension after the 2016 season, though it's not clear if the MAC school would have been able to offer a similar salary to what Fleck ultimately received from Minnesota.