​Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect PJ Fleck officially announced Sunday afternoon that Greg Harbaugh has been relieved of his duties as the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Harbaugh was in his third stint at Minnesota. He served as quality control in 2017 and 2019 and rejoined the Gophers in 2022 as tight end coach. He took over play-calling duties in 2023 as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2025.Fleck released the following statement announcing the firing.“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.” said Fleck. “These decisions are never easy, but I believe this is the right one for our football team. I have tremendous respect for Greg as a coach, husband and father and thank him for his many contributions to our program. I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”In nearly four complete seasons with the Gophers Harbaugh’s offenses have struggled. In 2023 with Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback the Gophers managed 20.9 points per game, which put them 11th of 14 Big Ten teams that fall. Max Brosmer’s arrival in 2024 helped some as the Gophers finished 9th in points per game (26.2) and passing offense (222.2 yards per game). The Drake Lindsay era has been a struggle since. In 2025 the Gopher offense finished 15th in scoring at 23.0 ppg, and 17th in the Big Ten with 293.2 yards per game. Through ten games in 2026 it’s been even worse with the Minnesota offense averaging 258 yards per Big Ten game, ranking last in the conference. They’re also currently 131st in offensive EPA per play and 134th in offensive success rate. Add in what obviously is the regression of Lindsay this season and PJ Fleck had to make a change. Most Minnesota fans are bad it took until after the tenth game to make that call, but here we are.So far no indication of who will take over play-calling duties for the Gophers but PJ Fleck will obviously be asked about in in his weekly press conference at 10 AM Monday morning. It will be one of three candidates: wide receivers coach Isaac Fruechte who was formerly the OC and called plays at North Dakota, offensive analyst Mike Shula who has plenty of both NFL and NCAA offensive coordinator experience including last season at South Carolina or tight ends coach Eric Koehler who was OC and then head coach at Miami, Ohio for nine seasons prior to coming to Minnesota. Whomever that play-caller is, they will make their debut when Minnesota hosts a reeling Northwestern in their final home game of the 2026 season Saturday at 11 AM. We will have more on this story as news breaks later this week.