Reminder: Coach Kill, for the next few weeks, will be on the Sunday Sports Huddle from 10:05 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Responses and comments by Coach Kill on today’s program:
1) Sid asked about changes in the coaching staff: Coach Kill said there weren’t any changes (loss of coaches) but, rather, some movement to new positions: Dan O’Brien up in football administration and Mike Sherels has a new position – assistant recruiting coordinator. Kill said the position is “an opportunity he (Sherels) deserves.” He said Sherels has worked hard as a grad assistant.
2) Sid asked if the players are lifting weights: Kill said the players are doing a lot of things in getting ready for spring drills: lifting weights, running, voluntary workouts led by Mitch Leidner, and academics. There was an emphasis on academics in Kill’s voice. Academic achievement/improvement has been a priority during his coaching tenure at Minnesota.
3) Dave asked for Kill’s impression of last Sunday’s junior day event: Kill said it went well. “It’s a time to build relationships,” said Kill, by getting the athletes on campus to see the facilities and encouraging them to attend spring practices and participating in the summer camps.
4) Sid, once again, referenced assistant coach Bill Miller being excited with the athletic abilities of freshman quarterback Dimonic McKinzy: Kill responded, “We’ll see . . . he’ll be a very good player.” Dimonic has been working out with Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler. Kill is glad that he’s an early enrollee and will benefit from his participation in spring drills. You could tell by his comments that he didn’t want to put any undue pressure on the young quarterback; however, he did sound excited about his potential.
5) Sid also asked about injured players and their participation in spring drills: Kill said those that were injured late last season and in the bowl game will not be pressed into spring drills – it’s important to “get healed up.” He also said spring drills are important for getting the young players more reps and focusing on their development. Kill said the “big Key” is getting everybody ready for August 1 practices. They’re starting spring drills early in March; allowing more time for players to “heal up” if they’re injured in the practices.
6) Dave Mona said he was in Wisconsin at mid-week and he wanted to know about the importance of facilities: Kill responded, “There’s an arms race in football.” Maryland is building a 200 million facility just for football. Minnesota is seeking 190 million dollars for facilities for several sports. Two points Kill stressed about Minnesota’s facilities: They’ve run out of space and Gopher athletics is way behind in modern sports facilities. Football-related facilities needed at Minnesota, according to Kill: 1) a new indoor practice building; 2) new weight room; 3) place to eat; 4) study tables. “We’ve run out of room . . . we’re behind in all the sports . . . We’ve got to get caught up,” said Kill.
7) Sid wanted to know how the fund raising was going for the 190 million dollar sports facilities project: (Chuckling) Kill said, “My job is recruiting . . . I can’t tell you.” However, he’s looking for the project to be completed in 1 ½ years. Not exactly sure if he was speaking about the football facilities being completed, fund raising, or all of the planned sports facilities constructed. I assume he was referring to the fund raising aspect; but that’s only an assumption. (1 ½ years is a short time for fund raising, bid letting and construction, IMO.)
8) Dave Mona asked about Lamonte Edwards playing at Southern Illinois University. He was confident Coach Kill had some part in Edwards’ transfer to the Salukis: Kill inferred that there was a lot that the public didn’t know about Lamonte’s stay at Minnesota; however, he said, “Lamonte struggled and needed new scenery.” Kill acknowledged he knows some people at SIU, “Good people that can help him (Lamonte) out . . . proud of him.” Kill said he was proud of Lamonte’s positive accomplishments in the classroom at SIU.
9) Question was raised about possible position changes during spring ball: Kill replied, “Not really at this point . . . stay pretty much the same.” He did say some running backs would learn the inside receiver position as well as the tail back duties. (Wanting to get the best athletes on the field and being able to play multiple positions.) Didn’t sound as though he expects to see any wholesale changes on the offense and defensive sides of the ball, however.
Go Gophers
Responses and comments by Coach Kill on today’s program:
1) Sid asked about changes in the coaching staff: Coach Kill said there weren’t any changes (loss of coaches) but, rather, some movement to new positions: Dan O’Brien up in football administration and Mike Sherels has a new position – assistant recruiting coordinator. Kill said the position is “an opportunity he (Sherels) deserves.” He said Sherels has worked hard as a grad assistant.
2) Sid asked if the players are lifting weights: Kill said the players are doing a lot of things in getting ready for spring drills: lifting weights, running, voluntary workouts led by Mitch Leidner, and academics. There was an emphasis on academics in Kill’s voice. Academic achievement/improvement has been a priority during his coaching tenure at Minnesota.
3) Dave asked for Kill’s impression of last Sunday’s junior day event: Kill said it went well. “It’s a time to build relationships,” said Kill, by getting the athletes on campus to see the facilities and encouraging them to attend spring practices and participating in the summer camps.
4) Sid, once again, referenced assistant coach Bill Miller being excited with the athletic abilities of freshman quarterback Dimonic McKinzy: Kill responded, “We’ll see . . . he’ll be a very good player.” Dimonic has been working out with Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler. Kill is glad that he’s an early enrollee and will benefit from his participation in spring drills. You could tell by his comments that he didn’t want to put any undue pressure on the young quarterback; however, he did sound excited about his potential.
5) Sid also asked about injured players and their participation in spring drills: Kill said those that were injured late last season and in the bowl game will not be pressed into spring drills – it’s important to “get healed up.” He also said spring drills are important for getting the young players more reps and focusing on their development. Kill said the “big Key” is getting everybody ready for August 1 practices. They’re starting spring drills early in March; allowing more time for players to “heal up” if they’re injured in the practices.
6) Dave Mona said he was in Wisconsin at mid-week and he wanted to know about the importance of facilities: Kill responded, “There’s an arms race in football.” Maryland is building a 200 million facility just for football. Minnesota is seeking 190 million dollars for facilities for several sports. Two points Kill stressed about Minnesota’s facilities: They’ve run out of space and Gopher athletics is way behind in modern sports facilities. Football-related facilities needed at Minnesota, according to Kill: 1) a new indoor practice building; 2) new weight room; 3) place to eat; 4) study tables. “We’ve run out of room . . . we’re behind in all the sports . . . We’ve got to get caught up,” said Kill.
7) Sid wanted to know how the fund raising was going for the 190 million dollar sports facilities project: (Chuckling) Kill said, “My job is recruiting . . . I can’t tell you.” However, he’s looking for the project to be completed in 1 ½ years. Not exactly sure if he was speaking about the football facilities being completed, fund raising, or all of the planned sports facilities constructed. I assume he was referring to the fund raising aspect; but that’s only an assumption. (1 ½ years is a short time for fund raising, bid letting and construction, IMO.)
8) Dave Mona asked about Lamonte Edwards playing at Southern Illinois University. He was confident Coach Kill had some part in Edwards’ transfer to the Salukis: Kill inferred that there was a lot that the public didn’t know about Lamonte’s stay at Minnesota; however, he said, “Lamonte struggled and needed new scenery.” Kill acknowledged he knows some people at SIU, “Good people that can help him (Lamonte) out . . . proud of him.” Kill said he was proud of Lamonte’s positive accomplishments in the classroom at SIU.
9) Question was raised about possible position changes during spring ball: Kill replied, “Not really at this point . . . stay pretty much the same.” He did say some running backs would learn the inside receiver position as well as the tail back duties. (Wanting to get the best athletes on the field and being able to play multiple positions.) Didn’t sound as though he expects to see any wholesale changes on the offense and defensive sides of the ball, however.
Go Gophers
