Brewster Acknowledges Public Skepticism
While admitting 2007 was an “unbelievably
painful season for all of us,” Gopher football coach
Tim Brewster
told Sports Headliners recently that “this program has a chance
to be one of the elite programs in the nation.”
Brewster answered questions about
himself and the program during an interview including how he sees his
future at Minnesota. The Gophers, who were 1-11 last season, open their
2008 schedule in approximately 10 weeks at home against Northern
Illinois on August 30.
The Gophers were perhaps the worst
defensive team in major college football last season, giving up 36.7
points and 518.7 yards per game. They won only a non-conference game
against Miami of Ohio, 41-35 in overtime. Yet the Gophers did lose four
games by six points or less.
The 2007 Gophers used new systems
offensively and defensively. Brewster said “change can be difficult”
and it was for the Gophers who had been 6-7 the season before under
coach Glen Mason.
Last season didn’t surprise Brewster and
it showed him negativity about Gopher football that endures in this
state. “There’s deep seated skepticism that we can’t win a
championship,” Brewster said.
The Gophers haven’t won a Big Ten title
since 1967. They haven’t been to a New Year’s Day bowl game since
1962. A lot of people, Brewster said, are “extremely skeptical” that
the Gophers can play at a championship level.
That’s an in-state problem and challenge
to Brewster not only with the public, but perhaps more importantly in convincing Minnesota’s best high school players to play for the Gophers.
The incoming freshman class is rated by national publications among the
20 best in the country, but it’s players from other states who have
created the ranking, not Minnesotans.
Still, Brewster’s vision is in-state recruiting will improve, recruiting of players from elsewhere
will continue to be highly successful, and the Gophers can become an
elite program. Brewster said, “I truly believe that can be accomplished
(elite status). …Recruiting is the key to success.”
Brewster also said “there is no shortage
of reasons” why recruits chose Minnesota earlier this year. He said
recruits are taken with how “beautiful” the city is, and the Gophers new
TCF Bank Stadium opening next year will be the “finest on-campus
stadium” in the country. Those sell points and others, including
the academic offerings and excellence of the University, gave Brewster
and his recruiting-oriented assistant coaches a marketing kit that seems likely
to send an ongoing line of talent to campus.
Talent will sustain coaching success and
Brewster was asked about his commitment to Minnesota. “I love the
coaches who are able to put roots in the ground,” he said. “Lots of
coaches don’t sustain success. I would love to build a championship
level (here) and sustain it for a long period.”
