PJ Fleck has made up his mind on what he will do with the Minnesota Gophers offensive coordinator job, after Kirk Ciarrocca’s most recent exodus. According to Pete Thamel (ESPN) and shortly confirmed by the Gophers social media team shortly after, 37-year-old Matt Simon (WR coach) and 36-year-old Greg Harbaugh Jr (TE Coach) are being promoted.
Sources: Minnesota is naming co-coordinators to replace former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Matt Simon, who was a co-coordinator, will be joined in that spot by Greg Harbaugh. Harbaugh served as Minnesota’s tight end coach. Both will receive pay raises.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2023
The offensive double threat. #RTB
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) January 9, 2023
????: https://t.co/oFGzLtduMZ pic.twitter.com/6ssacs3WrR
Gopher football beat writer and recruiting expert, Ryan Burns (GopherIllustrated.com), believes Simon will call plays and that Harbaugh will be promoted to QB coach. Simon was already listed as a co-oc but didn’t call plays.
He doesn’t have much experience doing so, either, but did call them vs West Virginia during the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, after Ciarrocca announced he was leaving for Penn State.
Fleck Turns to Internal Hires
This time around, Kirk Ciarrocca took a $500K raise to turn his back on PJ Fleck and move his office East. Thus, Fleck had a decision to make. Should he hire from within or look to an outside talent, like he did with Mike Sanford the last time Kirk left Dinkytown?
In the end, he decided to look inward this time around. The proof will be in the pudding as to what the right choice was.
Matt Simon Coaching Experience
2020-present: Minnesota – Co-Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers
2019: Minnesota – Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers
2017-18: Minnesota – Wide Receivers
2014-16: Western Michigan – Wide Receivers
2013: Rutgers – Wide Receivers
2012: Rutgers – Player Development
2011: University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Tight Ends
2010: Northern Illinois – Offensive Quality Control
Greg Harbaugh Jr Coaching Experience
2023-present: Minnesota – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2022: Minnesota – Tight Ends
2020-21: Western Michigan – Wide Receivers
2019: Minnesota – Quality Control
2018: Chattanooga – Wide Receivers
2017: Minnesota – Quality Control
2015-16: Western Michigan – Graduate Assistant
2013-14: Marietta College – Passing Game Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator / Video Coordinator / Academic Coordinator
2011-12: Methodist University – Assistant Coach
2009-10: North Carolina Wesleyan College – Wide Receivers / Running Backs
Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan