Minnesota’s 1-8 overall record is surprising and disappointing to fans, although Sports Illustrated predicted the Gophers would finish 0-8 in the Big Ten Conference. The Gophers are 0-5 in conference with home games remaining against Illinois and Wisconsin, and a game at Iowa. Minnesota has lost four of its games by six points or less. The Gophers’ one victory was in overtime against Miami of Ohio.
The Gophers finished 6-6 last season, 3-5 in the conference, and then lost their bowl game in a second half flop to Texas Tech. Minnesota was a mediocre team and although new coach Tim Brewster inherited eight starters from defense and six from offense, the talent level has been declining for a few years.
In an interview last week with Sports Headliners, Minnesota’s first year coach answered questions about his program and himself. Unlike many coaches, Brewster hasn’t tried to evade the public or media when problems and disappointments develop. In the interview he responded to several questions that are topical among the public.
Q-The Gophers have lost games to Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic and North Dakota State. Those are more losses in one season to non-marquee teams than any year within memory. Can you understand the disappointment of the fans?
A-“I certainly understand the fans’ disappointment, but I also know this: we’ve played five or six absolutely gut wrenching, close football games that we’ve come out on the short end. But our kids have played with tremendous passion, heart and toughness, and so I am really proud of our kids. We’re in our first year of this program. Change is hard. Everything is new. We’re installing a brand new offense, a brand new defense. Kicking game principles that are different than what has been done here. That’s all part of why we’re sitting here at 1-7 (now -1-8 after the Michigan loss last Saturday), and not maybe 5-3. …”
Q-You have said the coaching staff has to coach better. How major have the coaching mistakes been? Also, do you plan any staff changes after this season?
A-“You know what? I am so proud of our staff. I think we’ve got a great staff. I think it’s truly the best coaching and recruiting staff in the country. I think that will bear itself out as we move forward. I believe this: players win, coaches lose. So any time that we lose a football game, I think it’s on the coaches more than it is on the players. We as coaches gotta find a way to help our kids play better defense. Execute better on offense and in the kicking game. … As far as individual mistakes, I am sure I haven’t been perfect. But I don’t know that I would do anything over again either. I am very, very comfortable with the decisions that I have made here as the head football coach as far as my game management, as far as decisions regarding the team. …”
Q-Before the season you indicated the talent was better than what the results are specific to wins and losses. What’s gone wrong?
A-“I don’t know that anything has gone wrong. There hasn’t been a championship won here in over 40 years. I am trying to change a culture, and to me I am trying to change a culture into something that is very, very positive. I want to inspire our fans. I want to inspire our football team. Irregardless of how good we are, I want to inspire our team to be better and unfortunately that hasn’t played out the way I would have liked. But, again, I am an inspirational guy. I believe that you can inspire people to play beyond what they thought they could. And I am going to continue in that same vein as I long as I am here. That’s who I am.”
Q-Has the team played under its talent level?
A-“I wouldn’t say so. I think the team has played the best it can. I think it’s played the absolute best it can. I don’t question our kids’ heart, character (and) our effort. All that has been outstanding. I am extremely proud of them. …”
Q-Your enthusiasm and high expectations have been well received by many fans but because of the team’s performance do you plan to talk more cautiously in the future?
A-“I think what I am going to do is continue with my stated goal. … Win a Big Ten championship and take the Gopher nation to Pasadena, to the Rose Bowl. Each and every day that’s how we’re going to wake up and that’s how we’re going to go about our business. Are we going to go achieve that each and every year? … We don’t know, but that is going to be the goal. That’s going to be the dream. That is going to be the inspiration each and every day.”
Q-But do you plan to be less outgoing with the public?
A-“No. … I am who I am. I am a guy whose glass is half full. I wake up in the morning and I am excited about being the head football coach at the University of Minnesota. I am unbelievably excited about representing the state of Minnesota as the head football coach here. Shoot, I would be trying to be somebody who I am not. I know that bothers some people. Some people would rather you be maybe a little less demonstrative, or a little less excited about your position, but I am one of those people who truly believes that I am blessed to be where I am at. And I am very thankful. And I show that thanks in how I live my life.”
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