Financial incentives in coach Jerry Kill’s contract include a $50,000 payout if the Gophers win Thursday’s game against Missouri in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.
The new contract Kill and the University of Minnesota agreed to last February includes a two-page Exhibit A document detailing “annual incentive bonuses” that can boost his income beyond the over $2 million guaranteed compensation he receives. Among those bonuses is $50,000 for a bowl victory against a team from the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 or SEC. Missouri is a member of the SEC, or Southeastern Conference.
Just by getting the Gophers to a bowl game, Kill earned a $50,000 payout. Other $50,000 bonuses achieved in 2014 are for being named Big Ten Coach of the Year and leading the Gophers to five conference wins (5-3 record). It’s common for major head coaches like Kill to have incentive bonuses.
Kill’s guaranteed compensation total for 2014-15 is $2.1 million. That amount increases through the duration of his contract to $2.5 million in 2018-19. Kill’s $2.1 million is less than seven other Big Ten head football coaches receive, according to a November 20 article by USA Today detailing compensation earned by college coaches nationally.
Prior to his new contract, Kill was once the lowest paid head football coach in the conference at $1.2 million. Gophers fans have seen him resurrect the program including trophy game wins this year over Iowa and Michigan, and earning an invitation to the school’s first January 1 bowl game in 52 years. His accomplishments include dramatically raising the grade point averages of players and keeping them away from off-field problems. He has also endeared himself with the public in his battle against epilepsy while being active in volunteerism.
In the high-paying world of college football coaches, Kill is far from a leader in compensation among his peers. Reportedly at the top of the list is Alabama’s Nick Saban at $7.1 million.
Kill is loyal to his assistant coaches, most of whom have been with him for years. His contract states the University “will provide an assistant coach (nine assistant football coaches) salary pool that shall place the school within the top 6 salary pools in the Big Ten. …” Those salaries for assistants currently include $600,000 for defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys and $550,000 for offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover.
The 2014 Gophers team is Kill’s fourth at Minnesota and his best. The team’s 5-3 league record was the program’s best since 2003. The yearly progress made by Kill and his staff is consistent with his track record at four previous schools including Southern Illinois where his teams were in the FCS playoffs five consecutive years.
Claeys said the staff could be at Minnesota for a long time, noting that other schools they have coached at haven’t been in college football’s elite conferences. “As a staff we love it here,” he said. “You can’t play at a higher level (of college football). That’s what’s different than all the other moves that we’ve made.”
Claeys also said the Gophers coaches “want a chance to compete with the big dogs” in college football. That means a commitment to win by the University and outside community, and for the program to have the necessary resources. “So far the people have shown that commitment and as long as that continues…this will be a great place,” Claeys said.
Gophers fans at Thursday’s game in Orlando could total between 12,000 and 15,000. It appears certain Minnesota will have its largest bowl game turnout since 1962 when the Gophers played in the Rose Bowl.
“We’re just as excited as everybody else is,” Claeys said. “We think we got a bright future.”
Worth Noting
Oddsmakers have consistently had Missouri as almost a six-point favorite since the Citrus Bowl matchup was announced. Claeys knows not only will the Gophers be facing a formidable team in the SEC East Division champions, but the 10-3 Tigers are likely to show surprise formations or plays—or both—at Minnesota. “I am sure they’ll have a curveball or two…and hopefully it goes our way,” he said.
A new “wrinkle” is common for teams playing in bowl games because they have more preparation time than during the regular season. Claeys doesn’t become upset with the thought of seeing something new.
“You’ll play scared if you worry about it. …Anytime you have 30 days you’re going to do something new. We feel like our (defensive) concepts are sound. You just gotta play fast and furious and believe in your keys. If you sit around and play like you wonder what they’re going to do, it will slow you down.”
The Gophers gave an underwhelming effort in last year’s 21-17 loss to a mediocre Syracuse team in the Texas Bowl. “I think this year’s group is more focused,” said Gophers defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli. “I think this year’s group is more task oriented. I think this year’s group is more disciplined. I am not sure if that has to do with us being selected for the Citrus Bowl (a New Year’s Day game), or just having another year under coach Kill’s coaching, but you definitely do sense a difference in this locker room than you have years past.”
Claeys is looking forward to coaching Iowa Western Community College recruit Charlie Rogers who will be eligible to participate in Minnesota’s spring practices. The defensive back and Iowa City native started his college career at Iowa State. His experience and athleticism, and football IQ, are likely to provide immediate help to the Gophers secondary next year. “I think he’s an all-conference type of player,” Claeys said.
Another player the Gophers are enthusiastic about is true freshman Connor Mayes who played this season because of injuries to more experienced offensive linemen. “He is going to be a great player,” Kill said. “It’s one of those things he’s sacrificed a lot…because of the injuries we’ve had and so forth. He’s learning on the run and that’s not easy to do.”
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer held his season-ending news conference today, talking about a number of subjects including the futures of Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway and Cordarrelle Patterson. He said Peterson, the NFL suspended Vikings running back, adds “value to any team” and that he will be in Peterson’s “corner” whatever the decision is about the future including where he plays. “That’s the most important thing, he gets his life in order,” Zimmer said.
Greenway, who turns 32 on January 12, is still capable of being a starting linebacker next season, Zimmer said. “He’s the kind of guy we’d like to have.”
Patterson, the second-year wide receiver and kickoff returner, had a disappointing season despite his immense talent. Zimmer has an offseason plan for Patterson with a mentor the coach wouldn’t identify. Zimmer said Patterson’s issues are “not really about life” and described him as a “good kid.”
Thee basketball Gophers (11-2) have a winnable game tomorrow (2:15 p.m. BTN) at Purdue. The Boilermakers were only 8-5 during nonconference games with losses at home to Gardner-Webb (8-5) and North Florida (7-7) at home. Purdue is also on a three- game losing streak.
The challenge, though, is winning at a place where the Gophers have struggled over the years. Senior guard Andre Hollins has never been on a Gophers team that has won at Mackey Arena and he said the crowd can make it difficult for the visiting team. Minnesota hasn’t won a game at Purdue since 2002.
Isaac Haas, a 7-foot-2, 297-pound freshman center, leads Purdue in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Another freshman, 6-7 forward Vince Edwards, is best in rebounding at 6.1.
After the Gophers open their conference schedule tomorrow, they play at No. 12 ranked (AP poll) Maryland on Saturday. The league home opener is next Tuesday night with Ohio State.