Gophers Go Fishing With Head Coach Tracy Claeys
PAYNESVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) – Gopher football head coach Tracy Claeys' week started on the road, with his new boss Gopher athletic director Mark Coyle.
It's been a tough stretch in Gopher athletics. Claeys is now trying to help mend the image.
"Right now you try to keep everything you control under control. Obviously we need as much good news as we can get at the University of Minnesota and so we're trying to hold up our part," said Claeys.
He needs to put his stamp on what is now his football program, so he added a twist – the first Gopher football fishing tournament on Lake Koronis near Paynesville.
"This is unbelievable. And to have the Gophers out here, and this whole gang of people who love to fish and who love the Gophers," said Paul Bugbee of Bugbee Hive Resort, where the event was held.
Over 100 anglers came out to show support, fish and have some fun.
Amongst the anglers: Claeys' quarterback, Mitch Leidner.
"Oh it's fun, it's fun. Coming out with my brother and one of my buddies and so far, so good," said Leidner.
But this is more than a fishing tournament – it's a chance for a new head coach put his PR game plan in place. With a light rain and a boat full of supporters, he is forced out of a comfort zone that used to exist as an assistant coach. Because when you step into a Big 10 head coaching job, your life changes.
"The thing I was most uncomfortable with, you pull up to these places to play on the road and somebody comes out and grabs your bags and leads you to your room. I'm not a celebrity," Claeys said.
Claeys has to accept he is the face of the program. That's what weeks like this do for him.
"Any time you're around people who are fans and supporters of what you do it's pretty easy to do that. The most common thing is obviously everybody's ready to, we need to have the axe back," said Claeys.
Then there is his new partner in all of it – a new head coach will work with a new athletic director, and that relationship becomes critical.
"We got to be in this thing together and I really, from the time I have spent with him, I really enjoy being around him. I think his personality, again, fits into Minnesota, but what excites me is he's been here before. He had a great job at Syracuse," Claeys said.
He does know football, and he knows this program. With a favorable schedule, he believes 2016 should offer expectations.
"If we stay healthy up front, with our running backs and having a returning quarterback, Mitch being a senior, it's our best football team. I'm really looking forward to the fall and competing for the Big 10," Claeys said.
Claeys lost a couple fish at the tournament. But on this day, losing one doesn't matter, because this is where – at least for a short while – even in the rain, he can feel Minnesota.
"It's a good life and very relaxing. Great time, I'm glad we did this," Claeys said.
