New Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck is working to build his coaching staff and it looks like it’s starting to take shape – with a pair of additions Tuesday.
According to the Star Tribune, a source says Fleck has chosen WMU’s Kirk Ciarrocca to be Minnesota’s offensive coordinator. Ciarrocca, 51, spent the last four years as Fleck’s offensive coordinator with the Broncos.
The news comes just one day after reports surfaced that Fleck hired Arkansas’ Robb Smith to be Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.
The Broncos spread-option offense was one of the most explosive in the country in 2016. Western Michigan amassed 481.2 yards per game and finished ninth in the nation in scoring at 41.6 points per game.
It didn’t start that way, though. During Fleck’s first season in Kalamazoo the Broncos averaged just 17.2 points per game in 2013. Since then they have averaged 33 points per game over the last three years.
Ciarrocca also served as an assistant at Rutgers and Northern Illinois.
OSU’s Ed Warinner joins Fleck’s staff
The second name being reported to join Fleck’s staff is former Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner.
Warinner confirmed to Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel in a text message that he is headed to Minnesota, where he’ll coach the offensive line.
While in Columbus, the Buckeyes had one of the nation’s most potent offenses.
NBC Sports notes that Warinner becomes the third offensive line coach for the Gophers in as many seasons.
Fleck has said that he hopes to have his staff in place by Thursday.
