Report: Athan Kaliakmanis 'soured' by P.J. Fleck's criticism 'in front of others'

Kaliakmanis is leaving Minnesota after more than a year as the starting QB.

A reported "one-sided conversation" in which Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck was allegedly critical of his performance "soured" Athan Kaliakmanis on his situation at the University of Minnesota. 

"As recently as before the Purdue game he was row the boat, Ski-U-Mah, all on board," Wolfson said this week on Skor North's Mackey & Judd show. "So what changed? Well, they got their ass kicked in West Lafayette. Which, Purdue is rock bottom, so when you lose that game you become rock bottom. But there were some public words, I don't know how many people were in the room, but there was a heated conversation, well more so a one-sided conversation, where P.J. was pointing out stuff about Athan in front of others."

"That really soured Athan on his situation here," Wolfson concluded.

Kaliakmanis announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal just days after Minnesota lost to Wisconsin in the final act of the regular season, opening the door for the Gophers to receive a commitment from Max Brosmer, the FCS's passing yards leader who threw 29 touchdowns to only six interceptions at New Hampshire this season. 

Father of Kaliakmanis: Transfer decision not about 'mythical inbound QB'

Kaliakmanis has not said anything about Fleck's alleged criticism driving his decision to transfer. In fact, the only thing Kaliakmanis has said publicly is that he's grateful for the coaches and fans in Minnesota. 

However, days after he announced his plans, his father, Alex Kaliakmanis, posted on Twitter that he's "trying very hard not to comment on a program that our family decided to cut ties with," adding that he wanted to "set the record straight" by saying "a mythical inbound QB was absolutely not a factor in entering the transfer portal."

Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) looks to pass against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium / Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

At the time, Brosmer had only confirmed that Minnesota offered him a scholarship and the only other QB competition Kaliakmanis was set to face was incoming 2024 freshman Drake Lindsey and two players who were behind him this season, senior Cole Kramer and walk-on freshman Max Shikenjanksi. 

Trying very hard not to comment on a program that our family decided to cut ties with, but want to set the record straight and will start with this. Competition with a mythical inbound QB was absolutely not a factor in entering the transfer portal.

— alexk0845 (@alexkaliakmanis) November 29, 2023

According to Wolfson, Kaliakmanis allegedly asked if he was going to be the starter for Minnesota's bowl game, which at the time hadn't been announced, and "was not told he was a 100% lock to start."

Kramer will start at QB in the Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl against Bowling Green. 

There is a lot of hype about Gophers transfer QB Max Brosmer