Gophers Football Coach P.J. Fleck Receives $700,000 Annual Bonus

The University of Minnesota approves a lucrative bonus package for the high-profile head coach.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved an annual $700,000 'management bonus' for Gophers football head coach P.J. Fleck, bringing his total annual compensation to $7.9 million and placing him among the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches in the country.

Why it matters

Fleck's new bonus package reflects the University's commitment to keeping the high-profile coach in Minnesota and maintaining a competitive football program that has seen success in recent years under Fleck's leadership.

The details

The $700,000 annual bonus is in addition to Fleck's existing $7.2 million base salary, making his total annual compensation $7.9 million. This new bonus package was approved by the University's Board of Regents and places Fleck's compensation among the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches nationwide.

  • The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved the new bonus package on February 14, 2026.

The players

P.J. Fleck

The head football coach for the University of Minnesota Gophers, who has led the team to success in recent seasons.

University of Minnesota Board of Regents

The governing body of the University of Minnesota that approved the lucrative bonus package for football coach P.J. Fleck.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to invest in our top-tier coaching talent to remain competitive in the Big Ten and nationally.”

— Ken Powell, Chair, University of Minnesota Board of Regents (University of Minnesota press release)

What’s next

The new bonus package will take effect immediately, providing a significant financial boost to Fleck's existing contract.

The takeaway

The University of Minnesota's decision to approve a $700,000 annual bonus for football coach P.J. Fleck underscores the high value placed on retaining top coaching talent in the competitive world of college sports.