Report: Minnesota expected to hire P.J. Fleck as head coach

Minnesota is finalizing a contract with P.J. Fleck that will bring the highly regarded Western Michigan head coach to the Golden Gophers in the same role, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.

A report from Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune first linked Fleck and Minnesota late Thursday night.

Fleck is fresh off leading the Broncos to a 13-1 season that culminated in a Cotton Bowl appearance. Minnesota is looking to replace Tracy Claeys, who was fired Tuesday.

The Gophers went 9-4 this season and defeated Washington State in the Holiday Bowl, but Claeys' relationship with administrators grew strained when he backed players who'd been suspended because of an alleged sexual assault.

Fleck and Western Michigan were reportedly nearing a contract extension in early December, but the 36-year-old has yet to officially sign a new deal with his current employer, according to Tony Paul of The Detroit News.