It's not just branding that differentiates Fleck and Herman but also, as you suggest, accountability for all.
Consider this scenario: When Fleck came to Minnesota, he brought on Robb Smith as DC. They were long time friends and coached together at one point at Rutgers. After a strong start to the season, Minnesota started getting absolutely torched on defense, allowing an average of 43.2 points per game in conference play, along with 507.7 yards per game! The criticism was that Smith's scheme was just too complicated, and that his players were so confused with what they were supposed to do that their athleticism was wasted, leading to big play after big play.
Sound familiar? The difference is that Fleck sacked up and fired his DC after a particularly bad loss to Illinois, installing his D-line coach as the interim (now permanent) DC, with the directive to simplify the defense and allow the athletes to be athletes.
The overall record before that move? 9-12. The record since? 11-1.