Sports
P.J. Fleck Fires Gophers Defensive Coordinator
The Minnesota Gophers lost to Illinois 55 to 31 Saturday.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following an embarrassing loss to the Illinois Illini Saturday, Minnesota Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has made a major coaching change. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith has been relieved of his duties, the university announced Sunday.
"These decisions are always difficult, especially when they involve a close friend and colleague," Fleck said in a statement.
"I want to thank Robb, Amy and their family for all the time and energy they spent helping our program grow. Robb is an elite man and will always be a dear friend of mine."
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Fleck named defensive line coach Joe Rossi interim defensive coordinator. Rossi will run the defense for the remainder of the season.
Minnesota lost to Illinois 55 to 31. The Gophers are 1-5 in Big Ten play, and 4-5 overall. They host Purdue this Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
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"Robb is an elite man and will always be a dear friend of mine." My take is that it's a change that Fleck had to make. Ciarrocca's offense is on the upward trajectory, and he needs to get a defense that can match that.
— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) November 5, 2018
Photo: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs with his players during warmups before the game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks on September 15, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Redhawks 26-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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