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NFL Draft: 2019 college football Week 11 recap

Week 11 of the 2019 college football season had plenty of news to go along with two top-four teams receiving their first loss of the season. We recap a busy day for the PFN Live Blog with our five biggest takeaways.

NFL Draft
Photo credit: Sports Illustrated

NFL interest is growing for two specifically successful head coaches

It took Baylor three overtimes to remain undefeated while Minnesota earned its biggest win of the year so far knocking off Penn State this week. Both programs are on the right track and are building for the future while showing the world they are for real now.

That said, both Baylor and Minnesota could not do what they are doing without their head coaches, Matt Rhule and PJ Fleck, respectively. Now, the NFL’s radar has increased on the coaches. Tony has the latest at the 3:55 PM update:

I’ve mentioned numerous times that Matt Rhule will be one of the hottest coaching candidates in the offseason. I’m told NFL teams love him and those looking for a HC in the offseason will line up for a chance to hire him.

I also expect PJ Fleck of Minnesota to get a lot of interest by NFL teams looking for a new head coach. 

After his banner undefeated season with Western Michigan, several teams spoke positively about Fleck as an NFL head coach and there was some thought of hiring him.  What he’s doing in Minnesota will only enhance his appeal and while he signed a long-term deal to stay with the Gophers, I have to assume there’s a clause that allows him to leave if an NFL team comes calling.

From a recent question to Tony in PFN’s mailbag, here is what Tony had to say about where Rhule could end up next and if Baylor fans should be concerned about losing him:

Yes – it could be to another big-time college football program (Tennessee? Mississippi? UCLA?) or to an NFL team.

I’m sure right about now Jets owner Christopher Johnson is wishing he had not been so adamant on selecting Rhule’s assistant coaches, or letting Mike Maccagnan hire them, as a pre-requisite for hiring Rhule as the head coach.

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