Gophers football coach Tim Brewster addressed rumors about his interest in the Kansas football coaching vacancy this afternoon.
“I have had no contact regarding the position,” Brewster told Sports Headliners. “I haven’t spoken to anybody. I have no interest in any other job besides the University of Minnesota.”
In answering questions about how the rumors may have started, Brewster said it wasn’t possible that anyone representing him officially or as a friend might have contacted Kansas officials without his knowledge. Yesterday published stories linked the Gophers coach with the Kansas position which opened recently with the firing coach Mark Mangino.
Brewster has two years remaining on his contract and he wants to build the Gophers into a Big Ten champion. Brewster said today that he and Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi have discussed the topic of a contract extension but didn’t reveal details or timing.
The rumors of Brewster being a candidate for the vacancy at Kansas added an unwelcome element to the Gophers football situation. Concern No. 1 is the negative impact on recruiting. A question about who will be the head coach is a sure way to cause recruits to lose interest. This month the Gophers and other football programs are heavily involved with recruiting high school and junior college players for next season.
Brewster’s commitment to Minnesota will also encourage his supporters who have been confused by the rumors. They see Brewster as a dedicated coach and recruiter trying to rebuild a program that for years hasn’t been able to win even half of its Big Ten Conference games.
The Gophers football team is scheduled to begin practice for its Insight Bowl game this afternoon. Tomorrow a news conference with bowl representatives is to be held on campus to help promote the December 31 game in Tempe, Arizona between Minnesota and Iowa State.
The Gophers finished their regular season at 6-6. A win over Iowa State would give Minnesota a 7-6 record, the same as last year.