Fleck and the University of Minnesota football team had its turn Wednesday at Big Ten Media Day in Chicago. Fleck is now 45 years old and entering Year 10 with the Gophers, the second-longest tenured coach in the league behind Kirk Ferentz. Fleck says the 2026 team is one of his best since coming to Minnesota. Pillars for seasonWhy you should care:The 2026 Gophers feature 112 players. What's next:Fleck and the Gophers kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, against Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium.