Doogie: Jerry Kill didn't know what he was getting into with Gophers

[50PoundHead]

I think the search was clumsy, but not incompetent. I have no inside information, but I think Hoke is the guy they wanted. He was on the top of pretty much everyone's list of coaches that were poised to move up if they wanted (along with Golden). I heard nothing but raves about Hoke throughout last season and when coaches started to get canned, his name was one of the first ones out of everyone's mouth. He was a prime target and Maturi went after him, making a mistake or two (or five) in the process. And it's my guess that a number of prominent Michigan boosters went through the back channels (without taking him out to dinner) and told him to sit tight and wait for Rodriguez to get fired.

Kill had to know much of the problem in Minnesota. Coaches yak to each other. They yak and yak and yak to each other. Entire coaching staffs know each other very well and there's so much movement among assistants, that folks have at least a pretty good sense of what's going on in other programs. Did he know everything? No. But he knew enough. He especially knew that if he were going to get a job in an FBS conference, it was likely to be a situation like this one.

 

[Hates Monikers]

Texas-Gopher: 100% that he had no idea the magnitude of the academic issues, and as far as insider type inquiries, a few phone calls, and he could've discovered a lot. In this business, people love to talk. But between his team's banquet and him giving Maturi a yes, that due-diligence didn't take place. No rip on Jerry, but those are the facts.

Some of those facts would've been worthwhile in the article.

I think the headline was misleading, and some people are responding to the fact that we expected to read what Kill said -- or what you heard -- about Kill not knowing what he was getting into. But there's really only a few sentences about that -- it's mostly about the hiring process -- and no evidence or even new information about Kill being uninformed.

If the headline were something like, "Screwed up process forced Kill to make hasty decision," that might've changed our expectations.

 

[GoAUpher]

Some of those facts would've been worthwhile in the article.

I think the headline was misleading, and some people are responding to the fact that we expected to read what Kill said -- or what you heard -- about Kill not knowing what he was getting into. But there's really only a few sentences about that -- it's mostly about the hiring process -- and no evidence or even new information about Kill being uninformed.

If the headline were something like, "Screwed up process forced Kill to make hasty decision," that might've changed our expectations.

Well, FWIW (and Doogie can correct me if I'm wrong here) but usually the person writing the article doesn't pick the headline.

 

[Doogie]

Well, FWIW (and Doogie can correct me if I'm wrong here) but usually the person writing the article doesn't pick the headline.

Correct. Senior Editor Tom Pelissero picked this one.

 

[Doogie]

Doogie have you heard Mona's name mentioned at all as a possible replacement for Maturui, if Maturi is let go? I heard it from a source but not sure how reliable it is.

I have not. While Dave has great relationships there, I'd be very surprised.

 

[Doogie]

Doogie likes to make assumptions. Maybe he should ask Kill the question instead of assuming.

Should I have listened to Nick Saban when he said he wasn't going to Alabama? That being said, Kill has hinted plenty at the academic progress he's had to make.

I wouldn't have written what I did if I didn't have enough background information.

 

[bga1]

Doogie likes to make assumptions. Maybe he should ask Kill the question instead of assuming.

Looks like Doogie isn't the only one making assumptions.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Doogie-

I like you and I like your coverage and insight into Gopher football, but I disagree with the premise of this article 100%. It sounds like more Sid Hartman-like excuse making without pinpointing a reason. Sid has been saying for months that Kill would not have taken this job if he knew all the problems that existed here. Hogwash. Kill was taking the job either way. I am so sick and tired of people talking about all the inherent "problems" there are here. It is just weak excuse making without providing reasons or examples. There is NO reason Minnesota cannot be competitve, none. The previous coach dug a hole and created a mess, but to say "if Jerry Kill knew everything that was going on here, he would not have taken the job," is just crap. It sounded just like Sid's ghost writer wrote this article...

 

[Triple D]

I agree that this article is kind of a reach by Doogie

1. How many times have we heard how much respect other coaches and media members have for Coach Kill, he is very well connected, I'm sure he sought advice from others on what type of job this was and knew that going in.

2. Kill is great friends with Gary Patterson, best man at his wedding in fact. Patterson interviewed in 2007 before Brewster was hired, correct. Don't you think Kill would have asked Patterson his thoughts on the job and Patterson's experience interviewing here and what he learned about the Gopher program?

3. Kill is on record that he has spoken with former coaches about their experiences here, at least with Holtz and Mason. Not sure if this was before or after he was hired but he said this on the B10 Step Inside My Office show.

4. When you have a chance to get a huge raise at a better level you take it, even if there are challenges.

 

[Doogie]

Doogie-

I like you and I like your coverage and insight into Gopher football, but I disagree with the premise of this article 100%. It sounds like more Sid Hartman-like excuse making without pinpointing a reason. Sid has been saying for months that Kill would not have taken this job if he knew all the problems that existed here. Hogwash. Kill was taking the job either way. I am so sick and tired of people talking about all the inherent "problems" there are here. It is just weak excuse making without providing reasons or examples. There is NO reason Minnesota cannot be competitve, none. The previous coach dug a hole and created a mess, but to say "if Jerry Kill knew everything that was going on here, he would not have taken the job," is just crap. It sounded just like Sid's ghost writer wrote this article...

Stan: I look forward to lunch soon

I think he still would've taken the job, so please don't interpret as such. In a few different one-on-one settings with him, his wife, his coordinators, and others, I have always gotten the sense that he is very glad to be here.

As for pin-pointing a reason, I think it's incredibly layered. Talking with assistants on the last two staffs, former athletic department employees, and even current employees, I hear all sorts of takes. Trust me: considering my passion for Gophers football, I am working on trying to figure out why a top-3 finish hasn't happened in over 20 years.

 

[Doogie]

I agree that this article is kind of a reach by Doogie

1. How many times have we heard how much respect other coaches and media members have for Coach Kill, he is very well connected, I'm sure he sought advice from others on what type of job this was and knew that going in.

2. Kill is great friends with Gary Patterson, best man at his wedding in fact. Patterson interviewed in 2007 before Brewster was hired, correct. Don't you think Kill would have asked Patterson his thoughts on the job and Patterson's experience interviewing here and what he learned about the Gopher program?

3. Kill is on record that he has spoken with former coaches about their experiences here, at least with Holtz and Mason. Not sure if this was before or after he was hired but he said this on the B10 Step Inside My Office show.

4. When you have a chance to get a huge raise at a better level you take it, even if there are challenges.

Triple D: Thanks for the feedback.

On Patterson, undoubtedly they talked. Whether they did on Sat. Dec. 4 before the No. Illinois team banquet and Kill then telling Maturi yes, I don't know.

Kill has talked to Mason, Holtz, etc. but after he was hired. Those conversations did not happen pre-Sunday morning Dec. 5 when he was preparing to fly here.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Stan: I look forward to lunch soon

I think he still would've taken the job, so please don't interpret as such. In a few different one-on-one settings with him, his wife, his coordinators, and others, I have always gotten the sense that he is very glad to be here.

As for pin-pointing a reason, I think it's incredibly layered. Talking with assistants on the last two staffs, former athletic department employees, and even current employees, I hear all sorts of takes. Trust me: considering my passion for Gophers football, I am working on trying to figure out why a top-3 finish hasn't happened in over 20 years.

Sounds good sir. I appreciate the investigation and insight, I just get sick and tired of hearing Sid say essentially the same thing. Drives me insane.