Gopher football coach Jerry Kill announced his retirement in the last hour citing health reasons. Obviously he’s continued to struggle with epilepsy.
A difficult day for Kill, his family, and the Gopher Nation. I had feared this would happen when the seizures first occurred 3 years ago, but thought maybe he found effective treatment. A really sad development.
Grouse
I have to wonder how much the passing of Flip Saunders made him come to this decision. Yeah, I get its under different circumstances, but just yesterday he was due to have a Dr visit and I can only imagine what came out of that led him to this decision.
I really like the guy and think he was doing some very good things.
I have to wonder how much the passing of Flip Saunders made him come to this decision. Yeah, I get its under different circumstances, but just yesterday he was due to have a Dr visit and I can only imagine what came out of that led him to this decision.
I really like the guy and think he was doing some very good things.
PERSONALLY I THINK IT HAD a lot TO DO WITH kILL’S DECISION!
I’m not exactly a fanatic of Gopher football, I followed it from a far. This is too bad. I think of all the coaches in the last couple of decades, he’s the only one I really liked. He also seems to have the team going in the right direction.
I’m not exactly a fanatic of Gopher football, I followed it from a far. This is too bad. I think of all the coaches in the last couple of decades, he’s the only one I really liked. He also seems to have the team going in the right direction.
Pretty much my thoughts exactly. Not a huge Gopher athletics fan as I generally thing U of M athletics are over-indulged like a spoiled child at the expense of the rest of MN college athletics.
But nothing but respect for Kill. IMO he was the most honest, genuine, and principled head coach we’ve had in a long time. No BS, no snake-oil selling, no “we’re headed to the Rosebowl” fake hype. Also, to me, I could never see Kill getting involved or permitting ANYTHING like the Clem Haskins style scandals that have rocked the U in the past.
IMO, this is a big reason why Clays should be seriously considered for the head job. He’s a man that was brought up by Kill and hopefully learned the right way to run a football team including on the off field academic end. U of M AD and prez take note, all the wins in the world won’t get you out of the hot seat if you hire some snakeoil salesman that gets you into a Clem Haskins style academic scandal.
Grouse
You all summed it well. I’m sure a decision he made that no one would not want to make.
If anyone has a chance look up some of the Twitter comments sent by former players of Kill today. Every single one I’ve seen speaks of legit love, adoration, and respect for the guy.
I really hope he can continue to do something with the University. After seeing the press conference I just hope that whatever adds up to happiness for him happens. He’s done a lot and his class and work ethic are top-notch.
One thing that gets lost in all of this because everyone looks at W’s and L’s is what Kill has done for the team academics. Before Kill that cumulative GPA was 2.4. Now its 3.0. Not only do his players have the utmost respect for him, but they are doing well in class which in the end is the most important thing for these kids because the vast majority will never sniff the NFL.
Good point!
…but they aren’t my kids so I don’t care 
I kid!
One thing that gets lost in all of this because everyone looks at W’s and L’s is what Kill has done for the team academics. Before Kill that cumulative GPA was 2.4. Now its 3.0. Not only do his players have the utmost respect for him, but they are doing well in class which in the end is the most important thing for these kids because the vast majority will never sniff the NFL.
Totally agree.
Also, you’ll notice that under Kill there have been a steady stream of “no longer with the team” situations where problem players just get dropped. If they can’t cut the academic mustard or they are indulged brats in love with how awesome they are, Kill installed a new door that would hit them in the @ss on the way out instead of wasting time and money trying to prop up their academics and egos so they become bigger head cases later.
Kill had his head and his heart in the right place. Integrity matters.
Honestly, IMO Clays should get a shot. To go any other route, to me, risks a back slide that will then take years to recover from. Next year’s recruiting class is the highest ranked class to enter the U in decades. Do we really need another direction change?
Grouse
Honestly, IMO Clays should get a shot. To go any other route, to me, risks a back slide that will then take years to recover from. Next year’s recruiting class is the highest ranked class to enter the U in decades. Do we really need another direction change?
Grouse
Agreed! I worry though that without an AD hired, now Kill retires, what these recruits will do. Granted, so far the rest of the staff is in tact, but it could change some of these kids’ minds and have them go elsewhere. Its too bad Kill couldn’t see where he could have taken this program, but I agree that Claeys should get a shot and it would appear they share much of the same ideals since Kill kept him around for 20 years.
Too bad about his health… evidently he was really struggling behind the scenes with his meds and the epilepsy 
This years team was the first of a fully Kill recruited classes… the fruits of his labor, should really start ripen in 2 more seasons… I too hope that Claeys gets the job permanent. In 21 years with the guy, something had to rub off 
Thanks Jerry ! Take care of yourself. GO GOPHERS ! 
Nebraska fan here. All of us down here were sad to see him go. Had a lot of respect for him and he pretty much owned our previous coach. A lot of teams would be lucky to have the guy and his staff, including Nebraska. Seemed like he did things the right way from our vantage point.
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