Viral Photos Show PJ Fleck’s Unreal Transformation From 2000s Boy Band Lookalike To Hairless Head Coach

PJ Fleck on the sidelines at a Minnesota football game.

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PJ Fleck has made quite a name for himself as a young head coach. The Sugar Grove, Illinois native was a two-time MAC coach of the year at Western Michigan before being named the Big Ten’s COY recipient in 2019.

Now with Minnesota, he’s already led the Golden Gophers to a conference championship appearance, and he looks poised for another strong season following back-to-back 9-4 campaigns.

What’s separated Fleck from the pack is his ability to turn struggling programs around. His first season with WMU saw the Broncos go just 1-11. The next two seasons, though, they’d win eight games before going 13-1 in his final year as head coach.

His tenure with Minnesota has been similar, seeing a 5-7 output in Year 1 before winning seven and 11 games the following seasons. He’s won all four of his bowl game appearances with the Gophers, and has cemented himself as one of the league’s top leaders at just 42 years old.

But what was he doing before becoming the head coach that we see roaming the sidelines today?

PJ Fleck earned his degree in elementary education from Northern Illinois back in 2004. A photo from around that time has now surfaced on the internet, making its way around social media.

The photo shows Fleck as a student teacher, and when lined up side-by-side with his current look, it’s almost unrecognizable.

The coach has a very distinct look these days, rocking a clean shaved head and wearing slacks and a tie on gamedays. It’s been emulated by fans of the program on many occasions.

Things have changed drastically since Fleck’s days at NIU.

The throwback photo shows Fleck with a full head of hair, looking more like a Backstreet Boy than a future Big Ten head football coach. Ah, the 2000s.

Fans were quick to comment on the transformation.

Zack Morris, anyone?

We will accept Boy Meets World, too.

Here are a few more reactions in the comments section.

Maybe a move away from the frosted tips was best…

PJ Fleck will look to lead the Golden Gophers to another successful season in 2023. I, for one, won’t be able to get this former image out of my head on Big Ten Saturdays.