The Gophers and Iowa were the last two Big Ten teams to finish their spring practice schedules last Saturday. Both are programs trying to establish themselves in the conference after 2012 seasons when the two teams had identical 2-6 records, but if there is a sharp contrast between the programs it’s with the coaching staffs.
The Hawkeyes have six new assistants on their staff since the 2011 season. But the Gophers have the same core group, boasting a staff longevity that is unusual in college football.
Gophers’ assistant head coach and linebacker coach Bill Miller has worked for about a dozen head coaches and knows the staff loyalty to Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill is special. Kill has seven assistants who have worked for him 14 years or more at Minnesota and previous head coaching stops, according to Miller.
“He treats them good,” Miller told Sports Headliners earlier this spring. “He is a good man. He’s a good guy to work for. He’s sincere. … He’s a tell- it-like-it-is.”
Coaching relationships can be volatile but Miller said Kill, who has been the Gophers’ head coach for two seasons, doesn’t “threaten you with your job and things like that.” “I guess I work harder for a guy that wants me to do well and treats me good, and then I don’t want to disappoint him.”
Miller described Kill as humble, organized and a tireless worker — someone who treats not only the coaches “great” but the players too. That kind of leader makes recruiting easier and more successful, according to Miller.
“You can sincerely sell the farm for him and guarantee people that their son is going to be treated well when he comes here,” Miller said. “They’re going to be disciplined and they’re going to do the right things. The good players that I’ve been around in the last 35 years…they want that type of environment, that type of structure, and that’s what I think our staff gives them.”
Miller was first employed by the Gophers in 1986 when John Gutekunst took over as head coach succeeding Lou Holtz who in 1984 and 1985 ignited a passion for football in Dinkytown not seen since. The Gophers had about 56,000 season ticket holders after Holtz worked his magic with state football fans.
Miller, who came back to the Gophers a couple of years ago after multiple coaching stops elsewhere, saw that fan support in the 1980s and sees it happening again. “They’ll support somebody that puts a good product out there. I guarantee you we are putting a good product out there, and it’s gonna get better and better and better. If it doesn’t, hey, they’ll fire us just like they fire anybody else.”