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Michigan State football: 5 head coaching candidates who have fallen off the radar

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Again, like Pat Narduzzi, I don’t think this was ever realistic but it was rumored early on and has since fallen apart probably because Minnesota has been one of the more disappointing teams in the Big Ten this season.

PJ Fleck was expected to finally compete for a Big Ten West crown, but that fell apart early on as he unfathomably lost to Northwestern and then got dismantled by Michigan, 52-10. The Gophers did beat the Spartans but that felt an awful lot like Michigan State beating itself. He also just lost to a bad Illinois team at home with its backup quarterback in during crunch time.

Fleck continues to fall short of expectations at Minnesota and while he does have a couple of good seasons there, I think the constant 6-6 years in between rare 10-win seasons would drive fans nuts. He would just not be a good fit in East Lansing.

I’m not sure if he put his own name in the hat for leverage early on, but this is a candidate that has fizzled out completely, and I’m glad it has.

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