Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners on Monday that he was contacted by other schools last year about their football vacancies but declined to speak with their representatives because of his commitment to the Gophers.
The Gophers’ head coach is expected to receive a contract extension soon from athletic director Joel Maturi but Brewster declined to give details about the timing of an announcement and number of years to be added. Noting that Maturi has “reached out” regarding the extension, Brewster said specifics are being reviewed.
Brewster, who coached Minnesota to a 7-5 regular season record in 2008 after being 1-11 the year before, agreed to a five year contract for about $1 million in compensation after succeeding Glen Mason as coach in January of 2007. The Gophers were national news last fall after their surprising 7-1 start, but injuries and better opposition led to a 7-6 finish including an Insight Bowl loss to Kansas.
His usual enthusiasm and positive approach was evident on Monday. He said it’s “imperative” that the Gophers make as much improvement in 2009 as they did last year. Part of that process includes effective work by his assistants and Brewster is now evaluating the staff.
Yesterday came separate announcements that offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and defensive coordinator Ted Roof have resigned. News releases from the athletic department said Dunbar will “pursue other professional interests” while Roof will become defensive coordinator at Auburn. By the time spring practice begins the Gophers figure to have their third different defensive coordinator and second offensive coordinator of the Brewster era. No doubt everyone involved with the program will want more longevity from coordinators in the future.
Brewster spoke from Phoenix on Monday where he was waiting to attend the Fiesta Bowl, an opportunity to watch his son Nolan Brewster play for Texas against Ohio State. The younger Brewster, a freshman, played on special teams and is a reserve strong safety.
After leaving Phoenix, Brewster was planning to spend the rest of the week recruiting in Los Angeles, Houston and Denver. “We gotta get us some guys,” he said.
Brewster plans to sign between 22 and 25 high school and junior college players. The Gophers will have three or four scholarships to offer if the players who have already verbally committed for national signing day next month keep their pledges.
Those players are expected to do just that including all the in-state players who made verbal commitments. Brewster is excited about sweeping the state recruiting except for one player (believed to be wide receiver Bryce McNeal of Breck). The 2009 recruiting class will be “equal (to) if not better” than the nationally ranked top 20 class of last season, he said. “We’re going to have an outstanding class every single year,” he added.
For next season Brewster will have a more experienced and talented team. There were only three senior starters on the 2008 team (plus senior punter Justin Kucek and place kicker Joel Monroe) and the staff has been upgrading the talent pool since 2007. A Website even has the Gophers (No. 18) ranked among the nation’s top 20 teams for next season (www.nationalchamps.net).
Brewster valued the 15 practices allowed for the bowl game and mentioned how helpful they were to the improvement of junior defensive end Cedric McKinley. He played with a high motor in the bowl game producing four tackles and a team high two sacks.
In other news, Brewster said cornerback Marcus Sherels recently had successful surgery on the right shoulder he injured last fall. He expects Sherels to participate in spring practice but not have contact.