P.J. Fleck enters his 10th season at Minnesota following an 8-5 campaign in 2025. Greg Harbaugh returns as offensive coordinator, while Drake Lindsey returns at quarterback after starting last season. Darius Taylor returns at running back, while AJ Turner, Grant Washington, and Xavier Ford add depth in the backfield. Minnesota must replace leading receiver Le’Meke Brockington but returns three of its top five pass catchers from last season, including Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith. Auburn transfer Perry Thompson joins the receiving corps, while Oklahoma transfer Kaden Helms adds support at tight end. The offensive line returns three full-time starters in Nathan Roy, Greg Johnson, and Ashton Beers, each with 13 starts last season. Update (Oct. 13): C Ashton Beers suffered a lower-leg injury against Akron and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Backup center Brett Carroll was also ruled out for the season, forcing Greg Johnson to move to center as Minnesota works through multiple offensive-line combinations.
Danny Collins returns as defensive coordinator with seven of Minnesota’s top eleven tacklers back from last season, led by linebacker Maverick Baranowski. Matt Kingsbury also returns at linebacker. The defensive front returns starters Anthony Smith and Jaxon Howard after 13 and 10 starts, respectively, while Karter Menz returns after three. Cal transfer T.J. Bush joins the group after 12 starts last season. Smith enters 2026 with 19.5 career sacks. The secondary returns starters Kerry Brown and John Nestor after 13 and 10 starts, respectively, while Aidan Gousby returns after five. Michigan State transfer Aydan West joins the group after four starts last season.
Daniel Da Prato takes over as special teams coordinator after holding the same position at New Mexico last season. Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland joins the program at placekicker, while Division II Ouachita Baptist transfer Tom Weston takes over at punter. Minnesota adds new primary returners after Koi Perich transfers to Oregon.
Minnesota enters 2026 with continuity at quarterback and considerable returning starting experience throughout the defense. However, season-ending injuries to Beers and Carroll have disrupted an offensive line that entered the season with three returning full-time starters, forcing personnel changes and reducing the continuity Minnesota expected up front. The specialist and return positions also feature new primary contributors.