How soon will the University award an honorary doctorate degree to Tim Brewster for his public relations skills?  Since being named the Gophers football coach in January, Brewster has made a series of PR moves endearing him to the public, media and special interest groups such as the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association. 

Last Friday night Brewster and his staff hosted over 400 high school football coaches for a fish fry and Gopher scrimmage.  Brewster was at his best.  He announced he was becoming a member of the association, an organization that promotes and serves the interests of football in the state.  His players impressed the crowd, too, when they lined up and shook hands with the high school coaches. 

Don Swanson, an association board member, said prep coaches want to feel like they have a voice with Gopher football and to be recognized.  Speaking of former head coach Glen Mason, Swanson said many coaches “never met him in 10 years.” 

Swanson said he was “surprised by the large number of coaches” who came to the Friday night event.  He was expecting more like 100, rather than 400. 

Swanson, association executive director Ron Stolski, and many coaches from various parts of the state have already met and been impressed with Brewster.  They love his messages including that the Gophers aren’t just about the University or metro area, but they represent the state.  “He’s a good guy,” Swanson said.  “He loves his job. . ..” 

Brewster is 24-7 in his efforts to reach people.  Later this spring he or a member of his staff will visit each football high school in the state.  He wants every Big Ten Conference quality player from the state to attend Minnesota.  Swanson said Brewster talked Friday night about how it bothers him to see Minnesotans play at Wisconsin or Iowa.  “There’s no reason to leave the state of Minnesota and go represent anyone else,” Brewster told Sports Headliners Sunday. 

Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Bierman Building on campus, Brewster is hosting a free reunion for former Gopher football players.  The event will include a meal and program.  He said football alumni can attend without making a reservation, but those looking for more information can call the football office, 612-624-6004.

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Johan Santana makes his second career start tonight as the Twins opening game pitcher. Brad Radke has started the most Twins opening games, eight.  

It was 20 years ago this month that the Twins opened the season on their way to the franchise’s first World Series championship.  This was the opening day lineup: DH Dan Gladden, second base Steve Lombardozzi, center field Kirby Puckett, third base Gary Gaetti, first base Kent Hrbek, right field Tom Brunansky, left field Mark Davidson, shortstop Greg Gagne, catcher Tom Nieto and pitcher Bert Blyleven. 

Talk at the Final Four in Atlanta included conversation that former Gopher coach Dan Monson is a candidate for the Long Beach State job. 

Filmmaker and actor Spike Lee, a legendary New York Knicks fan, will speak from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Target Center.  Lee will talk about community, the arts and basketball prior to the Timberwolves-Hornets game.  Admission to hear Lee is included with the purchase of a game ticket. 

Detroit Lions owner William Ford is expected to be Charlie Sanders’ presenter at his pro football hall of fame induction on Saturday, August 4 in Canton, Ohio.  Sanders, the former Lions and Gophers tight end, will have a large group of friends in attendance including former Minnesota teammates from the 1967 Big Ten championship team. 

The guess here is Gopher defenseman Erik Johnson will return to school for his sophomore season next fall.  Johnson was the No. 1 draft choice of the St. Louis Blues last year.

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Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners recently he isn’t seeking buyers for the Minnesota Timberwolves.  He and his partnership group have owned the Wolves since 1995.  Taylor said the purchase price was $88 million, $40 million of it borrowed money.  The asking price today might be $350 million since that was the amount paid for the most recent NBA franchise sold, the Seattle SuperSonics, according to Taylor.

Certainly Taylor (the majority owner) and his partners could find reasons to put out a for sale sign if they wanted.  They could sell the team for a large profit leaving behind the financial losses of the last two seasons and the anticipated loss of this season.  Despite those losses Taylor described the Wolves as a “good investment.”  Still, if he wanted to use the team’s on-court performances of this season and the last two seasons as motivation for selling, many people would understand. 

During an interview in his Mankato office Taylor, 65 years old, was asked if he wants to own the team six years from now.  “I am healthy now.  If (my) health is not good that could be an indicator (to sell),” he said.  “I haven’t thought about seriously giving up the majority ownership at all.  I just think it’s something that is still a challenge to me, an interest to me.  …But, on the other hand, I haven’t seen an offer come forward. So I haven’t really had to make that decision because no one has stepped up and just said, ‘I am a Minnesotan.  I’ll take over.  I’ll buy you out.’” 

The public’s frustration with the Timberwolves’ on-court performances has stirred intense criticism, some of it directed at Taylor.  He said his years in the Minnesota Legislature as a senator helped prepare him for public scrutiny.  He learned that leadership brings criticism and “I accept that.” 

More impactful than the public is Taylor’s own self assessment.  “I am critical of myself,” he said.  “What decisions did I make, or what things can I do to change that? We’re just way below expectations and it’s frustrating to me.”   

Taylor thought the Wolves would become a playoff team this season.  Instead they are trailing in the playoff derby with only 11 games remaining.  The team is 11 games (30-41) under .500.   

Taylor’s approach is that he and the Wolves organization will learn from the mistakes of recent years and self correct.   He bases that on hard times he’s experienced during his life and that good results can come out of difficult periods. 

“I don’t see it as all negative in the sense that bad times are just a waste of time,” he said. “ We should learn from that and hopefully we will be better because of that.  I think great leaders learn from their mistakes. …” 

Taylor said he’s been encouraging coach Randy Wittman, who took over from Dwane Casey in January, to carefully evaluate his players for the future.  Assess who fits, wants to be here and has the right attitude.   

For now Taylor wants to lead this franchise and he’s determined to make the future better than the immediate past. 

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