Mark Coyle tried to be supportive of P.J. Fleck as they left Berkeley, Calif., after the Gophers’ 27-14 road loss to California last weekend.

The Gophers AD and head football coach discussed details of the game, player injuries, the bye week schedule — with its emphasis on recruiting — and the focus turning to Rutgers for the Big Ten home opener next Saturday.

“It’s boring, to be honest with you,” Coyle said. “I mean, those coaches and players invest so much time and energy into that. I just want to listen, support. That’s my goal. That was a tough loss.”

Coyle might make that part of his job sound mundane, but it’s not as dry as the financial reports and spreadsheets that can dominate his working life. Yet that area is what’s newsworthy after the Gophers athletics department in July

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