Minnesota made a major change to its football staff less than a day after a 42-14 defeat at Penn State. The loss left the Golden Gophers with a 5-5 record and three consecutive defeats, putting their bowl hopes under pressure with two regular-season games remaining.
Head coach P.J. Fleck confirmed that offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. had been fired. The move followed a difficult night for Minnesota’s offense, which managed only 60 yards in the first half as the Gophers fell behind 28-0. Penn State went on to build a 35-0 lead before Minnesota scored.
The decision came after a season that had taken a sharp turn. Minnesota had beaten Iowa 13-10 on October 24, but then lost to Indiana, UCLA and Penn State. After that third straight defeat, the Gophers needed at least one win in their final two games to reach bowl eligibility.
## Harbaugh’s history with Minnesota
Harbaugh had a long association with the program. He first joined Fleck’s staff in 2017 as a quality control coach, returned in the same role in 2019 and rejoined Minnesota in 2022 as its tight ends coach.
After Kirk Ciarrocca left, Harbaugh became a co-offensive coordinator in 2023, sharing the role with Matt Simon. By 2025, Harbaugh was Minnesota’s sole offensive coordinator as well as its quarterbacks coach.
Fleck thanked Harbaugh for his contributions while explaining that the change was intended to help the team.
“Greg has been an important part of our football program, and I want to thank him for the time, energy and commitment he gave to our players and University,” Fleck said. “These decisions are never easy, but I believe this is the right one for our football team.”
## Offensive struggles behind the decision
Minnesota’s production had been a concern throughout the season. The Gophers ranked 15th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging about 23.6 points per game, and were near the bottom of the conference in total offense. Their rushing attack averaged 92.8 yards per game, ranking 135th nationally.
Quarterback Drake Lindsey’s performance was another visible part of the team’s difficulties. His QBR stood at 43.0, placing him 95th in the country. Minnesota repeatedly struggled to score early, leaving its defense under pressure.
The unit’s challenges extended beyond the numbers. After a more functional season with transfer quarterback Max Brosmer in 2024, the 2026 offense had trouble establishing the run and protecting Lindsey. Opposing defenses were able to stack the box, and Minnesota struggled to respond with consistent answers. The offense lacked the identity and explosiveness the team needed.
## Travel delay did not excuse the loss
The Gophers also faced an unusual disruption before their trip to State College. A nationwide FAA ground stop delayed the team’s flight on Friday night, and Minnesota arrived in Pennsylvania less than 12 hours before kickoff.
Fleck did not use the travel problems to excuse the performance. After the game, he called the first half “completely unacceptable” and described it as some of the worst football he had been around in his career. Penn State finished with 229 rushing yards, while Minnesota’s two late touchdowns from Lindsey did little to change the result.
## A quick decision on play-calling
Harbaugh’s departure left Minnesota with little time to settle on an interim play-caller. Wide receivers coach Isaac Fruechte, who previously called plays at North Dakota, and senior offensive analyst Mike Shula were among the names most frequently mentioned as possible options.
Whoever takes over will have limited time to make substantial changes. Northwestern is scheduled to visit Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday for Senior Day. A win would move Minnesota to 6-5 before its regular-season finale on the road against Stanford. A loss would leave the Gophers without a realistic path to a bowl game.
Under Fleck, Minnesota has built its identity around toughness, culture and consistent bowl appearances rather than an explosive offense. The program’s “Row the Boat” approach has helped it through difficult stretches before. With bowl eligibility at stake and the offense struggling to find a reliable formula, the final two games will test both the team’s ability to respond and the impact of the coaching change.
