I have sat in Jerry Kill’s office when he talked about “not stealing” from the University of Minnesota. What he meant was that if he ever thought he wasn’t up to the job as head football coach he would walk away.
In this morning’s unexpected and emotion-drenched news conference Kill announced that time has come. Those who care deeply about the University and Gophers football are saddened to lose one of the finest individuals who ever worked in the athletic department.
Kill’s fabric is built on character including the virtues of nurturing, integrity and hard work. After suffering recent seizures and only having a few hours sleep at night, he decided to step down as Gophers coach. As he cried at today’s news conference he poured out his emotions and thoughts including his concern about what he will do with the rest of his life.
Kill is 54 years old and while he has a history of seizures and cancer he still has much to contribute to this world. He wants to do something meaningful. The pressure cooker of being a big time college football coach isn’t in his future but he won’t want to sit in a rocking chair day after day.
Doctors and family will help Kill make a decision going forward as to what he can do with his life. Maybe his path will be focusing on his Chasing the Dreams fund to benefit people with epilepsy and seizures.
But what University president Eric Kaler must do is dialogue with Kill over the coming weeks and months about whether there is the right fit for a position at Minnesota. Knowing Kill as I do, it’s almost impossible to imagine that there couldn’t be an appropriate assignment—even if it was part time.
Kill is so respected and loved by so many supporters of the University there is no question they would want him to continue officing in Dinkytown. He played a major role in the fundraising that has resulted in the Athletes Village project for which ground will be broken on Friday. His reputation, people skills and relationships would allow him to be an extraordinary fundraiser for the athletic department which still is only about halfway home in raising funds for new and renovated facilities. Whether Kill’s interest and health would allow him to do more than wear the hat of a full or part-time fundraiser remains to be seen.
Also, it’s no secret the Gophers need a permanent athletic director. If Kill thought he was healthy enough and had the energy he would be fabulous at the job. Over 30 years in coaching has given him great experience in athletics. Kill would bring so many of the attributes to an administrative role that he showcased as the Gophers football coach. The quality of the assistant coaches he has hired and the loyalty they have shown to him demonstrates his skill in assembling and keeping a staff in place. He set high standards for excellence including wins on the field. He was committed to the welfare of those around him including his assistant coaches and players. He was honest and direct with people, sometimes telling them what they needed to know even if they didn’t want to hear it.
Kill took over a terrible football program in December of 2010 and made it into something the state of Minnesota is proud of. The Gophers, once a laughing stock of the Big Ten, are now a competitive team, and within a season or two Minnesota could exceed the eight win years of 2013 and 2014.
Kill has turned around the football program beyond the playing field. His team collectively had a 3.04 GPA last spring semester and his players are earning their degrees after he inherited a program where players were on academic probation and not attending classes. Also, ask the University police and Minneapolis police if there hasn’t been a dramatic change in off-field behavior.
The Gophers lost the face of their athletic department today. The University lost the most beloved leader at the school. It’s up to Kaler now to dialogue with Kill and determine whether this extraordinary leader wants to continue on at the University.
Kill was a damn fine coach. He is an even better educator and human being.