Adam Rittenberg: 2 part Q&A with Jerry Kill

Donate To GopherHole

I think this quote from Part II is why I think Jerry Kill will succeed here. He actually understands the situation. I certainly hope the people who try to tear the U down (Reusse, Souhan, etc) shut their hate machines down for a bit and give this guy a chance. Unfortunately they have a bigger pulpit than Jerry does!

Why do you think it has been such a struggle for Minnesota to win consistently?

Jerry Kill: I've been asked that question a little bit. A lot of people say, 'Hey, you're not a big-name guy. How are you going to get it done? Nobody's had winning records in the Big Ten for a long time and so forth. What are the weaknesses and strengths?' The big thing, to be honest with you, I have to change the culture. I've got to bring in a coaching staff and they've got to stay committed. I've been able to do that in the jobs that I've had before. You can't have rotating doors, and [the players have] got to understand what you want.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Pamela Kay Schmalenberger
Jerry Kill twice won the Division I-AA Coach of the Year Award while at Southern Illinois.We've got to do a great job in recruiting, and jiminy christmas, with all the things that we have here to offer to young people, and even after they get out of school, all the great businesses and companies and all the things we have here to offer, we've really got to sell what we have. I've been asked about a pro sports town, does that affect you? I think we have to embrace that. That's fantastic to utilize those things in recruiting.

Jerry Kill is not going to turn the program around. There's a lot of people that have come and tried to do it and haven't done it. It's going to have to be a statewide effort, and we're all going to have to get in it together. One person's not going to do it. That's why it's so critical I hire a good coaching staff and we've got to stay positive and we've all got to work together. It's going to have to be a great team effort, and that's the way I've always approached things, and I feel we'll get that done.
Click to expand...
 


I don't think Kill will be vilified like Brewster was. I think many media types didn't warm to Brewster and his arrogance. Kill brings respect in terms of his current football resume. Sure, it's not BCS Natl. Championships and such but he's done what a good football coach is expected to do. I think this guy will have the Gophers ready to play next season and beyond. If we can pull off a shocker or two next season and get a Bowl Game, I think that will help in-state recruiting immensely.

I am giving Kill a chance out of the respect of his career. I am not going to give respect to a coach because he developed one player that Fantasy Football leagues covet in Antonio Gates........ The Brewster/Antonio Gates story started to sound like the TE version of "The Blind Side".. I am sure Brewster increased Antonio's Vertical, made him fast, gave him hands, in addition to running around in form fitting clothing.......
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom