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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.
We need everyone to see this picture of Minnesota coach PJ Fleck as a student teacher. pic.twitter.com/LyyWs37JsW
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) May 16, 2023
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.
I saw him at Warped Tour in ‘01, it was great.
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) May 16, 2023
Zack Morris, anyone?
I thought that was a picture from Saved by the Bell at first
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteDustin) May 16, 2023
We will accept Boy Meets World, too.
Ah, I remember this episode of Boy Meets World
— kim garbo 🐌 (@the_kim_show) May 16, 2023
Here are a few more reactions in the comments section.
He definitely watched TRL on a daily basis.
— Evan Ludwig (@SmokeLudwig) May 17, 2023
That’s the face of someone who loved the USA Network’s primetime programming in the early 00’s
— Nick Matkovich (@matkonick17) May 16, 2023
This man’s favorite song is still Butterfly. Come my baby, come come my baby.
— LurkyMcLurkerly (@LurkyMcLurkerly) May 17, 2023
Could have been in a boy band from the 90’s
— Nate McHugh (@nmchugh85) May 17, 2023
Maybe a move away from the frosted tips was best…
Maybe losing the hair was for the best if that’s the style of choice
— Caleb (@CalebVrzak) May 16, 2023
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.