At State Capitol hearings Tuesday, Paynesville Senator Michelle Fischbach asked what the U-of-M is doing to enforce its student code of conduct, after allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against some football players. University President Eric Kaler responded new coach P.J. Fleck spends time at every practice talking with players about topics other than football. Kaler says Fleck is “very focused on developing the whole person and developing the man, not the football player. Very strong sense of family. Very strong connectivity with the student.”
Kaler adds Coach Fleck “insists that his players sit in the first two rows of the classroom and wear a collared shirt to class. They’re required to attend class.” He adds Gopher football assistant coaches also have much more engagement with students during the day. Kaler told lawmakers discipline and focus is “much improved” over what the university has been used to.