Coach Kill’s responses and comments to questions by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on today’s Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the segment asking about Kill’s recent travels to Southern Illinois and Naples, Florida: Kill sounded hoarse and said he lost his voice due to a lot of speaking. He went onto say, “Naples – an opportunity to see Gopher fans . . . a good trip, a lot of fun.” (Although he didn’t say so, it was probably a fund raising trip as well, IMO.)
2) Sid asked if Kill was finished with recruiting for this year’s class: Kill responded tersely, “We had a guy visit . . . no one added at this time.”
3) Sid asked about the changes in this year’s spring drills schedule: Kill, once again, said the changes this year will allow the players to heal that are injured during the practices and it’s extremely important to get them ready for fall practices that start August 1. Additionally, they’ll have six weeks of weight training following the completion of spring drills. (The additional time in the weight room was a point of emphasis by Kill in his remarks.)
4) Sid wanted to know if there were any redshirts that could be impact players this next season: Kill named only one player and he sounded very excited when he described Berkley Edwards’ athleticism and the number of spots that he can play: “Berkley Edwards has a lot of athletic ability – can play tailback and slot . . . brings a lot of pieces (to the offense).”
Dave Mona in a follow up question, asked how big Berkley is now that he’s had a year of weight room training: Kill said, “Berkley is about 190 – 195, the size of Chad Spann.” (Spann was a star running back at NIU during Kill’s last year at the Illinois school. Spann had a big game against the Gophers (Brewster’s last year)).
Kill then mentioned a gentleman that has helped or worked with the players, especially tight ends; I believe the name mentioned is Stan Parish. If I heard correctly, Parish is a former Wolverine and now an employee at the U. (Please correct me and/or add additional information about Kill’s comments on the former Wolverine.)
Kill finished the question saying, “(Need to) Do a better job of getting (skill) people the ball.” He sounded very positive about Berkley’s playmaking potential, and that the offense needs to take the next step in improvement. He sounded comfortable with the defense, however. He also said if he had to name one redshirt that can impact the offense next year it would be Berkley Edwards. However, his remarks should not be taken as a negative when it comes to other redshirts; but you could tell he’s excited about Edwards’ potential on offense.
5) Sid inquired, again, about Dimonic McKinzy. He said the coaching staff is very high on his playing abilities: Kill’s response, “Dimonic’s very good . . . serious kid . . . (good) athletic ability.” He said he’s glad he’s on campus early and that Mitch Leidner is doing a good job working with Dimonic. Kill also mentioned Chris Streveler’s name and added: “Best position at quarterback in a long time . . . Dimonic is a critical piece (especially with the transfer of Philip Nelson, according to Kill).”
6) Sid asked about the defense for next year: Kill said, “Didn’t lose a lot of players.” However, he did mention Ra’Shede Hageman, Roland Johnson, Brock Vereen, James Manuel, and Aaron Hill as departing seniors. He said Ra’Shede was a special player that you don’t easily replace; however, he sounded very positive about the defense because of the system they have in place of playing a lot people, especially on the defensive front (eight player rotation). He said they have a lot of depth on defense and that they recruited well this year (he cited the defensive line recruits, but didn’t give out any names). By his remarks and tone of voice, Kill is very excited about this year’s class.
7) Dave Mona asked if the public would be invited to spring drills: Kill said the staff would be meeting shortly about spring drills and those that are open to public. He doesn’t expect any real changes and he wants the fans to turn out for the open drills, “Good for Minnesota football . . . fans are the owners.”
Kill also said the first week of drills will occur on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The following week is a catch up week with an additional practice: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
8) Sid wanted to know if some of the true freshmen will be playing next season: Kill replied, “Several will be (playing).” But then he quickly added, they’ll know more about this year’s class after summer drills and during fall practices. Again, by his tone in answering the question, Kill sounded very excited about the potential of this year’s class and the likelihood of some of the players contributing immediately.
9) Sid asked about the Ohio State transfer (Brian Bobek): “Yes he’s playing (voluntary workouts) . . . (however, Bobek has) a little hamstring (problem) . . . excited about getting him out there,” said Kill.
10) Dave asked a question concerning the adjustments in his contract and use of a private jet: Kill responded, “Dr. Kaler wants to win . . . a lot of things in the contract that will take care of the assistants and (help) recruiting . . . I feel comfortable about the person at the top (President Kaler) . . . we’ll have the resources to recruit.” In his comments, Kill emphasized the importance of recruiting and that you win with talent. He also mentioned the importance of and the support for new facilities.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking about Kill’s recent travels to Southern Illinois and Naples, Florida: Kill sounded hoarse and said he lost his voice due to a lot of speaking. He went onto say, “Naples – an opportunity to see Gopher fans . . . a good trip, a lot of fun.” (Although he didn’t say so, it was probably a fund raising trip as well, IMO.)
2) Sid asked if Kill was finished with recruiting for this year’s class: Kill responded tersely, “We had a guy visit . . . no one added at this time.”
3) Sid asked about the changes in this year’s spring drills schedule: Kill, once again, said the changes this year will allow the players to heal that are injured during the practices and it’s extremely important to get them ready for fall practices that start August 1. Additionally, they’ll have six weeks of weight training following the completion of spring drills. (The additional time in the weight room was a point of emphasis by Kill in his remarks.)
4) Sid wanted to know if there were any redshirts that could be impact players this next season: Kill named only one player and he sounded very excited when he described Berkley Edwards’ athleticism and the number of spots that he can play: “Berkley Edwards has a lot of athletic ability – can play tailback and slot . . . brings a lot of pieces (to the offense).”
Dave Mona in a follow up question, asked how big Berkley is now that he’s had a year of weight room training: Kill said, “Berkley is about 190 – 195, the size of Chad Spann.” (Spann was a star running back at NIU during Kill’s last year at the Illinois school. Spann had a big game against the Gophers (Brewster’s last year)).
Kill then mentioned a gentleman that has helped or worked with the players, especially tight ends; I believe the name mentioned is Stan Parish. If I heard correctly, Parish is a former Wolverine and now an employee at the U. (Please correct me and/or add additional information about Kill’s comments on the former Wolverine.)
Kill finished the question saying, “(Need to) Do a better job of getting (skill) people the ball.” He sounded very positive about Berkley’s playmaking potential, and that the offense needs to take the next step in improvement. He sounded comfortable with the defense, however. He also said if he had to name one redshirt that can impact the offense next year it would be Berkley Edwards. However, his remarks should not be taken as a negative when it comes to other redshirts; but you could tell he’s excited about Edwards’ potential on offense.
5) Sid inquired, again, about Dimonic McKinzy. He said the coaching staff is very high on his playing abilities: Kill’s response, “Dimonic’s very good . . . serious kid . . . (good) athletic ability.” He said he’s glad he’s on campus early and that Mitch Leidner is doing a good job working with Dimonic. Kill also mentioned Chris Streveler’s name and added: “Best position at quarterback in a long time . . . Dimonic is a critical piece (especially with the transfer of Philip Nelson, according to Kill).”
6) Sid asked about the defense for next year: Kill said, “Didn’t lose a lot of players.” However, he did mention Ra’Shede Hageman, Roland Johnson, Brock Vereen, James Manuel, and Aaron Hill as departing seniors. He said Ra’Shede was a special player that you don’t easily replace; however, he sounded very positive about the defense because of the system they have in place of playing a lot people, especially on the defensive front (eight player rotation). He said they have a lot of depth on defense and that they recruited well this year (he cited the defensive line recruits, but didn’t give out any names). By his remarks and tone of voice, Kill is very excited about this year’s class.
7) Dave Mona asked if the public would be invited to spring drills: Kill said the staff would be meeting shortly about spring drills and those that are open to public. He doesn’t expect any real changes and he wants the fans to turn out for the open drills, “Good for Minnesota football . . . fans are the owners.”
Kill also said the first week of drills will occur on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The following week is a catch up week with an additional practice: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
8) Sid wanted to know if some of the true freshmen will be playing next season: Kill replied, “Several will be (playing).” But then he quickly added, they’ll know more about this year’s class after summer drills and during fall practices. Again, by his tone in answering the question, Kill sounded very excited about the potential of this year’s class and the likelihood of some of the players contributing immediately.
9) Sid asked about the Ohio State transfer (Brian Bobek): “Yes he’s playing (voluntary workouts) . . . (however, Bobek has) a little hamstring (problem) . . . excited about getting him out there,” said Kill.
10) Dave asked a question concerning the adjustments in his contract and use of a private jet: Kill responded, “Dr. Kaler wants to win . . . a lot of things in the contract that will take care of the assistants and (help) recruiting . . . I feel comfortable about the person at the top (President Kaler) . . . we’ll have the resources to recruit.” In his comments, Kill emphasized the importance of recruiting and that you win with talent. He also mentioned the importance of and the support for new facilities.
Go Gophers!!
