Gophers are in a fragile state of mind and Kill Apologized to Goetz - Strib

[Iceland12]

People have cried everywhere he has left. I'm guessing, but think this is the first time he's ever been booed...

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought. He really hasn't experienced harsh criticism, deserved or not. That explains some of the "poor me" stuff which, to his credit, he got away from pretty quick. He took the blame, but criticized the Offense, Offense Line and Running Game (backs?) but not by name and refused to discuss the QB situation.

"Vanilla" Offense or not, his frustration at the execution of the Offense and the trolls who have been contacting him just boiled over. Very little "calculation" was involved.

Hope he gets a chance to go "SEE, we were planning on upgrading the Offense" after the get a victory against Ohio!

Jerry Kill:
•The most important thing is, the bottom line is, we won the game. We found a way to do it. Our defense continues to play outstanding football.
•Playing with two young safeties, they really grew up.
•Our punter played well. Peter Mortell made them drive the field.
•Offensively it was a struggle. We did what we had to do. I’m responsible; I’m the head coach. I don’t know if I have the answers yet, until I watch film.
•We didn’t handle it well up front. It starts there.
•We’re 2-1. Could be a hell of a lot worse.
•How to fix the offense: That’s a good question. I haven’t watched the film. Just have to keep plugging away. Not running the ball well. That’s where it starts. To sum it up, I’m not doing a very good job coaching. We have to coach better and play better and not make excuses.
•“Physically, I thought we got it handed to us.”
•“Don’t have the magical answer right now, but I better get it. Or I don’t deserve to be here.”
•“I’m not going to make any comments on the quarterbacks. Not to be disrespectful.”
•On the offensive line: Did I think we’d be better at this point…Sure, no doubt.
•I don’t think effort is the issue. We just have to get better on one side of the ball.

 

[imthewalrus]

Word for the day - MAGNIFICENT.

For extra credit, please post a four paragraph tirade spelling the word correctly,
at least four times.

Hint - turn on spell check.

Good catch, old. You know: that is a trick I learned to get an accurate head count on how many people actually do read my posts and how many really do have me on ignore. So, thanks to your "sharp" eyes, that extra little vowel has helped me to learn that at least one person did read my post. That makes it all worth while. Yes, I will continue to post. This board needs some contrasting points of view from time to time. You are one of my favorites on this board, old. Keep up the good work. I'll be dropping a post every now and then to any posters on GH who don't have me on ignore. At least I know I won't get quite so many complaints that way...

Would anyone like to buy a vowel?

 

[NoDakGopher]

Why are our players in a fragile state of mind? Minnesota probably ranks in the lowest 20% nationally when it comes to fan's expectations. This should be one of the easier places to be a player.

Maybe expectations used to be that low, but they're certainly not anymore. The fans actually seem to have pretty high expectations. The fan base was pissed with a win @ Colorado State, whereas 4 years ago most would've been ecstatic with that win no matter how they got it. We were losing to FCS teams on a regular basis. At that point my lofty goal was to hope that MN would get to a bowl game.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

So the offensive line is physiological fragile? Give me a break. This pity party crap stinks. Kill should have stood up there and just said: " We played and coached like crap and we as coaches are responsible. We will turn every stone this week to try and get better. Yes, we're banged up on the OL,
but it is our job to coach up the backups so they can step in. We will get it done. Thank you, now are there any questions"?

 

[howeda7]

Somebody get out the buff and shine, because there are a few dings in the armor right now. Geezo, peezo, man! Gotta get me some of that dag nab chili to get my heat index up! And, where the fudge is the Kool-Aid. Pour me a flask of that immediately, IV drip, and not slowly.

The AD should be a little miffed. I wonder if there were words between the AD and Kill that got him angry beforehand. Why would it otherwise come up now. Track team issues? Reduction of the facilities for phootbaalll. Honestly, there seems to be a major distraction going on behind the scenes besides linemen limping around and team focus. What seems to be the undertone of the last week that sets up a presser that went awry for country (calm down) Jerr.

Why, dear Lord? Why Minnesota?

This post reads like Matt Limegrover's playbook. I'm confused.

 

[MrC]

So, Kill said we did not have an AD when we do, albeit interim. Realizing the error, he apologized. Based on everything I have read about Beth Goetz, I bet she said, "no apology needed, don't worry about it."

Kill appears to be a really decent person.

Goetz appears to be a really decent person.

The future is bright, sonnygophergarciawarrier's opinion notwithstanding.

 

[hungan1]

I like good people, and hope the bad ones see the errors of their ways. It's more fun being me than GW and sonnygarcia, and I feel sorry for them, and those who spend so much energy on the most negative feelings they can conjure. I enjoy my life and am grateful for having the opportunity to follow this football program. It's not all perfect, but persevering as the underdog is the ultimate.

+1000

 

[Friend of the U]

So the offensive line is physiological fragile? Give me a break. This pity party crap stinks. Kill should have stood up there and just said: " We played and coached like crap and we as coaches are responsible. We will turn every stone this week to try and get better. Yes, we're banged up on the OL,
but it is our job to coach up the backups so they can step in. We will get it done. Thank you, now are there any questions"?

I was thinking the same thing. I realize it has been 40 years since I played in college and professionally but boy have times changed! If you weren't playing up to expectations the coaches were not shy about letting you know about it and they sure weren't concerned about hurting your feelings. You were expected to be a man about it, accept criticism and correct the issues or take a hike. I guess things have changed a lot since I played.

 

[60's Guy]

Yes they have

I was thinking the same thing. I realize it has been 40 years since I played in college and professionally but boy have times changed! If you weren't playing up to expectations the coaches were not shy about letting you know about it and they sure weren't concerned about hurting your feelings. You were expected to be a man about it, accept criticism and correct the issues or take a hike. I guess things have changed a lot since I played.

Things have not changed for the better but it is surprising how sensitive Jerry is in public to criticism. Stop the pity party. Stop the whining.
I got roasted for my Play Better, Coach Better post but that is what it comes down to. Be accountable.
Jerry is the one setting the expectations and responsible for achieving them.

 

[HoustonTXGopher]

In all fairness, there is a difference between interim AD and AD. Goetz was not named AD to make any coaching changes and Kill's comment was largely just tongue and cheek.

If the current situation with the offense turns out to be a setback for the football team, then so be it. Long term program improvement will surely not come without a few bumps in the road but look mote like three steps forward, one step back. I support coach Kill, his staff, his players and the entire football program, even through the games that our offense only scores 10 points but we win anyway.

GO GOPHERS!

 

[OPGD#71]

View attachment 3811

Hey, that looks like the same button Hitlary Clinton used with the Russians.

 

[Mulligan]

I was thinking the same thing. I realize it has been 40 years since I played in college and professionally but boy have times changed! If you weren't playing up to expectations the coaches were not shy about letting you know about it and they sure weren't concerned about hurting your feelings. You were expected to be a man about it, accept criticism and correct the issues or take a hike. I guess things have changed a lot since I played.

And I'm guessing these coaches aren't shy about letting these guys know it either when they feel it's the right approach. Maybe now Kill sees an offensive group lacking confidence, thinking too much, and not playing loose? Realizes that all this negative stuff isn't helping that state of mind? Love the "That's
not how we used to do it bullish*t. We were real men ... blah, blah, blah." You honestly think this is about their feelings being hurt instead of pumping them up in the way he feels will result in success? Look at his comments about how the defense is playing with confidence. That's what he's trying to do with the offense. FYI, I'm damn near 70, but I sure don't think I've got the monopoly on mental toughness over these kids.

 

[imthewalrus]

Mulligan: Great contrasting point of view. I'm an old guy too...68. Back in the 60's coaches were tough. Coaches are pretty damn tough in 2015 too. But, in the 60's there weren't all these local sports talk shows with idiots like common man taking shots at the players and coaches. There weren't a bunch of internet Gopher chat boards with people mocking, trashing, bashing and mobbing on the individual players and coaches. It was a totally different time and the pressures were much less in many ways. You had best believe that things are SO MUCH different today than things were in the 60's.

I totally admire Coach Kill for handling things the way he did. I am sure there is a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors in the football program that we old guys wouldn't have a clue. 1960 was 55 stinking years ago. 1965 was half a century ago. Times have changed boys. All kinds of things have changed. Bigger...faster...stronger...more complex...more stress...more everything.

We old guys were damn lucky to make it out of the 1960's and still be living at age 68 (in my case). I think Coach Kill will do just fine with the rest of the season. I think the offensive line will get their push back. I think the quarterback will manage the games just fine.

Finally, we old guys always bitch about "no defense..." Well, this year the Gopher will live and die with defense. A defensive team has a totally different look and feel from an offensive team. They flat out play the game differently than a team that has to score 35 points a game to have a shot at a win. It's not going to be like that this year people...RUN the ball and STOP the run!

 

[kellyleeks]

The "We don't have an AD" remark did bug me a bit because it might be perceived as Kill marginalizing Goetz for being a woman. I think Kill let emotions get the better of him and meant no offense. It happens to the best of people.

What does gender have to do with it? Generally when there's a systemic issue (e.g. Multiple high level individuals sexually harassing subordinates) you clean house and get rid of the senior level people in the administration or at least don't consider one of them to lead it. If anything, Goetz is getting a pass for being female.

 

[kellyleeks]

Mulligan: Great contrasting point of view. I'm an old guy too...68. Back in the 60's coaches were tough. Coaches are pretty damn tough in 2015 too. But, in the 60's there weren't all these local sports talk shows with idiots like common man taking shots at the players and coaches. There weren't a bunch of internet Gopher chat boards with people mocking, trashing, bashing and mobbing on the individual players and coaches. It was a totally different time and the pressures were much less in many ways. You had best believe that things are SO MUCH different today than things were in the 60's.

I totally admire Coach Kill for handling things the way he did. I am sure there is a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors in the football program that we old guys wouldn't have a clue. 1960 was 55 stinking years ago. 1965 was half a century ago. Times have changed boys. All kinds of things have changed. Bigger...faster...stronger...more complex...more stress...more everything.

We old guys were damn lucky to make it out of the 1960's and still be living at age 68 (in my case). I think Coach Kill will do just fine with the rest of the season. I think the offensive line will get their push back. I think the quarterback will manage the games just fine.

Finally, we old guys always bitch about "no defense..." Well, this year the Gopher will live and die with defense. A defensive team has a totally different look and feel from an offensive team. They flat out play the game differently than a team that has to score 35 points a game to have a shot at a win. It's not going to be like that this year people...RUN the ball and STOP the run!

Interesting post. Yesterday, Boomer was on the radio talking about how much tougher it is now to play than it was in his day due to social media and rabid fans. Evidently, Andrew Luck has an old flip phone just so he doesn't hear any of it.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

All this bluster is for two simple reasons: To bring the heat off Leidner personally and to cover for the players who weren't physically able to dominate Kent State like they thought they would be able to.
Whatever you think of Leidner, he's taking a beating in the media and by the fans and it has gotten out of hand. Kill is laying himself out there to take the attention off Mitch.

The O-line issues and TE issues have crippled this offense. Limegrover and Kill's identity has always been running the ball and building from that.
I thought Pirsig and Bjorkland looked really slow at CSU and not all that happy after the game(lots of the players were happy), they must be hurting.
It's time for this staff to dig deep into their experience and find a path forward that build confidence and a temporary way to score points until the bruisers up front heal a little bit.
The obvious and stupid way to spark the offense is to play Croft. It has the potential to backfire and ruin alot of things including Leidner, Croft, and this season. I don't see it yet.
I think the redshirt comes off Moore this week to rotate in with Bjorkland. He seems like the type that might mix it up a bit and bring a fresh attitude .
Then I think they should come out on Saturday with a few "fun" plays to get some of the young skill guys involved.
It could backfire in the context of the game, but doesn't ruin the season if it falls flat. Nothing gets an offense feeling better about themselves than some razzle dazzle.
Get some big plays by manufacturing with a few tricks and you can ride the running game as ugly as you like into a W with the defense.
Long term, nothing gets better until guys heal up though, which is scary.
We miss Epping, Olson, Goodger and Plsek right now.

I am not convinced that a true freshman I have never seen play a down will fix our offense this year. That said, if Leidner is in a mental place where trying out another QB while the offense is struggling is going to "ruin" him (which I don't believe is the case, he got his first shot platooning with Nelson as a freshman), then he is not the answer either.

 

[tikited]

Interesting post. Yesterday, Boomer was on the radio talking about how much tougher it is now to play than it was in his day due to social media and rabid fans. Evidently, Andrew Luck has an old flip phone just so he doesn't hear any of it.

Flip phones are the best.

 

[jamiche]

What does gender have to do with it? Generally when there's a systemic issue (e.g. Multiple high level individuals sexually harassing subordinates) you clean house and get rid of the senior level people in the administration or at least don't consider one of them to lead it. If anything, Goetz is getting a pass for being female.

I don't know if Goetz is getting a pass for being a woman. I do know that she was part of Teague's upper management team and, by virtue of being around "the fellas" every day, was a part of that culture. As such, I don't think that she should be considered for the permanent position.

There is no way to know what Kill was thinking when he made that crack about not having an AD. However, it is never a good idea to diss your boss, interim or not, in public. Country Jer is getting way too thin skinned. He has a malfunctioning offense that is highlighted by poor quarterback play and everybody can see it. The whole "maybe they ought to fire me" thing plays poorly when it comes from a guy who is supposed to be a straight shooter.

 

[beavergopher]

I don't know if Goetz is getting a pass for being a woman. I do know that she was part of Teague's upper management team and, by virtue of being around "the fellas" every day, was a part of that culture. As such, I don't think that she should be considered for the permanent position.

There is no way to know what Kill was thinking when he made that crack about not having an AD. However, it is never a good idea to diss your boss, interim or not, in public. Country Jer is getting way too thin skinned. He has a malfunctioning offense that is highlighted by poor quarterback play and everybody can see it. The whole "maybe they ought to fire me" thing plays poorly when it comes from a guy who is supposed to be a straight shooter.

This^^^^^^

 

[50PoundHead]

Mulligan: Great contrasting point of view. I'm an old guy too...68. Back in the 60's coaches were tough. Coaches are pretty damn tough in 2015 too. But, in the 60's there weren't all these local sports talk shows with idiots like common man taking shots at the players and coaches. There weren't a bunch of internet Gopher chat boards with people mocking, trashing, bashing and mobbing on the individual players and coaches. It was a totally different time and the pressures were much less in many ways. You had best believe that things are SO MUCH different today than things were in the 60's.

I totally admire Coach Kill for handling things the way he did. I am sure there is a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors in the football program that we old guys wouldn't have a clue. 1960 was 55 stinking years ago. 1965 was half a century ago. Times have changed boys. All kinds of things have changed. Bigger...faster...stronger...more complex...more stress...more everything.

We old guys were damn lucky to make it out of the 1960's and still be living at age 68 (in my case). I think Coach Kill will do just fine with the rest of the season. I think the offensive line will get their push back. I think the quarterback will manage the games just fine.

Finally, we old guys always bitch about "no defense..." Well, this year the Gopher will live and die with defense. A defensive team has a totally different look and feel from an offensive team. They flat out play the game differently than a team that has to score 35 points a game to have a shot at a win. It's not going to be like that this year people...RUN the ball and STOP the run!

Bingo. In the 1960s, the coach would have taken the team to the locker room, probably read them the riot act, and it all would have been done in private. Then he'd meet three or four reporters and do a cliche-o-rama and that would be that. Now Kill reacts in the heat of the moment, says a few stupid things, and 50 reporters and thousands of posters slice, dice, and dissect the content. Things have changed dramatically. I'm not going to say things are better or worse, just different.