The public may not understand that Jerry Kill will have a role with the University of Minnesota in the coming weeks. News reports last week made it clear the former Gophers football coach and the University couldn’t agree on a full-time position for Kill, but he has accepted an invitation to be an independent contractor for his ex-employer.
Kill was upbeat speaking to Sports Headliners on Friday from Las Vegas where he was vacationing with family. His conversations with Gophers’ interim athletic director Beth Goetz led to an understanding that Kill, depending on his schedule, will be available to appear at University events. “I said whatever works out, if you need me, give me a call,” Kill said.
Goetz tweeted the following last week: “Looking forward to continuing our relationship with Jerry, already planning some great engagement this spring.” (An unsuccessful request for an interview with Goetz was made by Sports Headliners.)
Kill said dates and specifics regarding events for the University are so far undetermined. Since moving from Minneapolis to his lake home in Illinois, Kill has become self-employed with a busy schedule that includes public speaking.
“I don’t know how many times (for University activities)—or even if I am going to be available—because I’ve got a pretty good (busy) schedule,” Kill said. “I think they’re trying to tie some things in there because I am speaking in Minnesota twice in March. I am probably speaking six or seven days in Minnesota in the month of April, so I think I can tie some things in when I am there.”
Kill is revered by University boosters. At the time he resigned as head coach last fall because of his health, he had become the face of the athletic department and the most popular University figure. His influence with school supporters, including financial donors, is needed by the University including for the still in progress fundraising for the Athletes Village project.
Will Kill, as an independent contractor, be asked to raise funds? “If they ask me (to be) in a donor situation, I have no problems with it,” he said. “It’s whatever they need me to do. I have no problems at all.”
Friends of Kill wish he and the University had reached agreement on a full-time position. It appears a stumbling block to such an agreement was defining a role that included the lifetime coach having direct interaction with student-athletes.
Kill, 54, will be in Fort Worth this week helping Gary Patterson, the TCU coach, evaluate the Horned Frogs football team. Kill is still shaping his post-football life but is already involved with speaking assignments, looking after his Chasing Dreams Fund through the Epilepsy Foundation, and writing a book.
Last week he was having fun in Las Vegas with wife Rebecca, and Kill’s brother and his wife. “We don’t ever get to do these kinds of things because we’ve been involved in football so much,” Kill said. “So this is a real treat.”
Did he win any money in Vegas? “No, I haven’t won any money. The first night I dropped $90 and quit.”
Worth Noting
Rivals.com Gophers basketball writer Ryan James praises Rochester John Marshall senior guard Michael Hurt. James said Hurt, who will be on scholarship with the Gophers next season, excels at catching and shooting the ball. He described Hurt as a “hard worker,” effective team defender and a player with a high on-court I.Q. “You can trust Michael,” James told Sports Headliners.
The Gophers’ only scheduled men’s basketball game this season with Wisconsin is Wednesday night at Williams Arena. The Badgers, among the nation’s winningest programs since 2000, have built part of their success on recruiting Minnesota high school players. Wisconsin’s roster this season includes Minnesota natives and reserves Alex Illikainen and Jordan Smith. Illikainen, a 6-9 freshman from Grand Rapids, is averaging 10.9 minutes per game and 2.6 points. Smith, a 6-3 redshirt senior guard from Orono, averages 1 minute and 0.6 points per game.
Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys said that despite going into spring practice tomorrow with a new offensive coordinator “probably about 75 percent of the offense is the same.” As for position switches of players, defensive lineman Mose Hall is moving to offensive tackle for a trial period. Claeys said after five or six practices evaluation will be made about other players possibly switching positions.
Ex-quarterback Chris Streveler will continue as a wide receiver and special teams player. Claeys said he didn’t see a scenario right now where Streveler, who for much of last year was a QB, would return to that position. “The kid works hard,” Claeys said. “He’s a good athlete (and) he loves the game of football.”
Former Gophers administrator Phil Esten, who helped lead planning for TCF Bank Stadium, is involved with a review of Penn State’s facilities for its 800 athletes. Esten is deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for the Nittany Lions athletic department.
The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association will sponsor two all-star games for seniors this year. The June 25 game for 2016 seniors will be at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud. The December 10 game for 2017 seniors will be at the new downtown U.S. Bank Stadium. In 2017 and after, there will be only one all-star game per year and it will be played in December at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Former Eden Prairie High School running back Anthony Anderson is now at Iowa Western Community College and has a scholarship offer from Marshall University, but is still deciding on his college football future, according to Western coach Scott Strohmeier.
The first of 11 Twins spring training games on Fox Sports North will be this Thursday when Minnesota plays the Red Sox in Fort Myers starting at 6:05 p.m.
Rick Prescott from Minneapolis has written a book called “The Dome Is Down: Saying Goodbye to the Metrodome.” The dedication page says, “This book is dedicated to anyone who just before entering the Metrodome for an indoor baseball game on a sunny day, looked up at a beautiful blue sky and thought, ‘Today would be a great day for outdoor baseball.’ ”
WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson is expecting near sellout or sellout crowds for the women’s WCHA Final Face-Off on Saturday and Sunday at Ridder Arena. “We’ve got three of the top 10 ranked teams in the country competing in this tournament, which is outstanding,” he told Sports Headliners.
In the latest USCHO.com national poll Minnesota is ranked No. 2, followed by Wisconsin at No. 3, and North Dakota No. 8. Minnesota Duluth is the fourth team in the tournament involving WCHA teams who advanced from the first round of playoff games.
Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth face off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, then starting at 5 p.m. the Gophers play North Dakota in the second semifinal. Winners advance to Sunday’s championship game at 2 p.m.
General admission and reserved seating are available for the tournament. More information about tickets is on the Gophers and WCHA websites.