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.”