Home again for Isaac Fruechte as he leads Gophers receivers

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May 2—Former Caledonia, Rochester Community and Technical College, University of Minnesota and Minnesota Vikings football player Isaac Fruechte is completing his first spring as the University of Minnesota's wide receivers coach.

Fruechte was hired from the University of North Dakota, where he was its offensive coordinator the past two seasons.

How has it been so far, any surprises?

It's been a smooth transition. It's a credit to the guys on the staff as well as the players. It's been super smooth.

Do you see much talent there?

I see a lot of talent. We are a very deep group with nine (receivers) on the roster who I feel good about. And I feel really good about a handful of them. Jalen Smith is one who I have known before because I recruited him at the University of North Dakota out of Mankato West, knowing that he was likely going to go somewhere bigger than that. He has been a nice crutch for me with his leadership of these guys.

What are your main tasks as receivers coach?

It depends on what phase of the season we are in. During the spring semester, we are riding a lot of different things, whether that is handling some version of recruiting, to being on the road and traveling all over, to being home and evaluating talent. I have about five to seven things that I check in on with our (receivers) on a daily basis.

What's your favorite part of being a receivers coach?

It's definitely being on the field of play with them and working with them one on one, whether that is pass plays or run plays or individual drills with them. Being around the guys is the most fun and influencing them in any way that I can.

What makes a good receivers coach?

I'd say it's the same thing as what makes a good coach overall, regardless of position. You have to have structure and you have to communicate really well with them. Communication comes in several ways. Coach (PJ) Fleck shows that there are a lot of ways to learn. But you want to coach your guys to be consistently good, not occasionally great. You have to be consistent.

Who did you learn your coaching ways from?

My dad (longtime Caledonia football coach Carl Fruechte) for sure. Just being around a dad who coached and coaches. He resonated with me. He tells me that coaching never stops and neither does parenting. You can always help in some way, shape or form. I also learned from Vikings coaches George Stewart and Mike Priefer in how to relate with players, because they were in those shoes at one point, playing.

How would you describe PJ Fleck as a coach? What is his style?

His passion and love for his players and the place is something that really stands out. And the other thing about him is he is pretty intense. He knows how he wants it to be done and there is a high standard. There is a method to the madness. He is energetic and the kids really like that. He's different from a lot of other coaches. His intensity resonates with the staff and the players.

How does it feel, coaching where you once played?

It's pretty special. We had a couple of practices in the outdoor practice facility, and it's still exactly as it was when I played. When we walked outside and got there it really brought back some memories that were pulling at my heartstrings. And then being in our game stadium (Huntington Bank Stadium) for our spring game. I was just feeling, 'How fortunate am I?' On Saturday I got to call the Gold Team offense. That was cool. I realize it was just the spring game, but it was really cool. It was a dream of mine.

What is your ultimate ambition as a coach?

The journey is the journey, but ultimately I'd like to be a head coach at the college level or a coach in the NFL. I'd love that. But I'm going to take that day by day and do the best I can where I am at. Whatever happens, happens. But it would be a goal of mine to be a head coach one day.

How long are your days? Does it leave you with much family time?

I am a workout-in-the-morning guy so I like to get to the facility by 5:30 in the morning and work out. There are days during spring ball where we don't get out of here until 10 at night. Other days we are out the door at 7. It doesn't leave a lot of family time. But I am fortunate in that my wife is awesome and she brings the kids to the practice facility to come to practice and I get to see them then. And it's a special credit to coach Fleck for letting that happen. That helps make up for lost time.

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