Kill said at his news conference today that each player will have to “earn” playing time and there are no starters going into spring practice including quarterback MarQueis Gray. “We will not give away playing time,” Kill said.
He acknowledged concern about academic performances of players, but didn’t specify the number of players who might be struggling, or identify anyone in particular. He wants to learn which players can handle the challenges of school work and playing football this spring so that he knows who to count on in the fall.
Former Gophers and others are impressed with Kill and the reputation he earned turning out winning teams at other schools. He has a record of 127-73 in 17 seasons as a head coach.
Bob Stein, a Gophers All-American defensive end in 1967, describes Kill as a “real football coach” and “real good guy.” Kill has earned admirers for his work on and off the field.
“Everyone who has seen him, likes him,” Stein said. “Everyone hears back the same reports from people throughout football. He’s very respected as a person and as a coach.”
There’s no doubting the effort put in by Kill and his staff since coming to campus. Some coaches are in the office before dawn, and everyone reports by 7 a.m. Dan O’Brien, the director of football operations under both Brewster and Kill, said the new staff drinks more coffee than the old, with an emphasis on 20 ounce containers, not 12.
New staff hire Mike Sherels, the former Gophers linebacker, has been organizing gatherings with Kill and former players. Kill will also spend time with high school coaches at the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s clinic during the weekend of March 31-April 2.