Coach Kill appeared on the Sports Huddle at his new time slot of 10:05 a.m. He was on for one segment. Coach Kill will be on for one segment at 10:05 a.m. until spring drills.
1) Sid opened the segment asking about the possibliity of going to 9 or 10 conference games and whether or not he is in favor of the additional conference game(s): Kill responded saying nothing is certain yet. However, he went on to say: "I wouldn't be surprised if we added 2-4 more teams to the Big Ten Conference." As a result, he expects to see 9 or 10 conference games in the twelve game schedule. He expects to see 4 power conferences, which will be involved in the BCS playoffs.
He also said: "We have to control what we can control . . . getting better." This comment was midway through his response to Sid's query. In short, the presidents and ADs will be bringing about the major changes (conference realignments), which are beyond his control.
When Sid opened with the question about additional conference games he inferred that coaches, including assistants, weren't in favor of additional conference games. Kill acknowledged additional games in conference would be tough . . . grind on the players. He briefly inferred that conference play is tough week in and week out.
2) Sid asked about new coaches that the Gophers will be facing this year and how tough it is to prepare for them: Kill said it's about history . . . checking out what they've done in the past and the coordinators that they've hired. (Looking for tendancies. Coaches have history and they bring that to their new positions.)
Kill acknowledged it's "hard to prepare for the unknown," especially games at the start of the season (1st games) when it comes to facing new coaches.
3) Sid, once again, asked about the four recruits that are already on campus: Kill sounded excited about the four and about the team's effort. He said the following about the four recruits on campus:
"Damien Wilson can really run"
"Hendrick Ekpe has put on 14 pounds and weighs 240 pounds."
"Chris Streveler is a 4.5 guy that can change direction."
"Jordan Hinojosa is defensive tackle that's working hard."
Kill then told the audience that Berkley Edwards won the Michigan 60 meter sprint yesterday (state title).
Kill concluded the question saying they've improved the team in speed and athleticism!
4) Mona said Marquies Gray ran a 4.69 forty this morning: Kill said he always maintained Gray was a 4.7 guy. By running the 4.69 he proved him right. He's excited for Marquies Gray.
Later, after the Kill segment was over, Mona said he thinks the pros are looking at Gray as a receiver. If he's plays tight end, he'll have to put on more weight. He added, a 4.7 tight end would be impressive.
5) Sid asked if Zach Mottla would be ready for spring drills: Kill said, "No . . . We want to be smart." He said Jon Christenson now weighs 305 and is doing a good job. He said he expects good competition at the center position, including the Ohio State transfer.
6) Mona asked if the practice locker room project was completed: Kill said it was completed . . . "Good for the kids (attitude)" . . . people did an outstanding job in refurbishing the locker room.
7) Maxx Williams: "He's going to be a great player in our program." Kill said he could have played last year, but they wanted to redshirt him, especially after he suffered an injury in the fall that set him back a little.
Kill then said he's excited with last year's recruits and redshirts. The Gophers played 11 true freshmen last year and in the bowl game. The 11 redshirts gained valuable training in bowl game preparations.
8) Sid asked about charity events/projects: Kill said the recent bone marrow match project was a success. They're planning a special project for the spring game and are working to establish a Gary Tinsley scholarship.
9) Mona asked about Kill's recent participation at a NIKE camp in St. Louis and an upcoming NIKE camp in Philadelphia: Kill said the camps help in recruiting. It's an opportunity to connect and reconnect with high school coaches . . . "It's all about relationships." He said he knows a lot of the coaches in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas. (He was a high school coach in the St. Louis area before he advanced to the collegiate level, and, of course, has recruited the state of Missouri when he was at Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois and while at Pittsburgh State, and now that he's at Minnesota.)
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking about the possibliity of going to 9 or 10 conference games and whether or not he is in favor of the additional conference game(s): Kill responded saying nothing is certain yet. However, he went on to say: "I wouldn't be surprised if we added 2-4 more teams to the Big Ten Conference." As a result, he expects to see 9 or 10 conference games in the twelve game schedule. He expects to see 4 power conferences, which will be involved in the BCS playoffs.
He also said: "We have to control what we can control . . . getting better." This comment was midway through his response to Sid's query. In short, the presidents and ADs will be bringing about the major changes (conference realignments), which are beyond his control.
When Sid opened with the question about additional conference games he inferred that coaches, including assistants, weren't in favor of additional conference games. Kill acknowledged additional games in conference would be tough . . . grind on the players. He briefly inferred that conference play is tough week in and week out.
2) Sid asked about new coaches that the Gophers will be facing this year and how tough it is to prepare for them: Kill said it's about history . . . checking out what they've done in the past and the coordinators that they've hired. (Looking for tendancies. Coaches have history and they bring that to their new positions.)
Kill acknowledged it's "hard to prepare for the unknown," especially games at the start of the season (1st games) when it comes to facing new coaches.
3) Sid, once again, asked about the four recruits that are already on campus: Kill sounded excited about the four and about the team's effort. He said the following about the four recruits on campus:
"Damien Wilson can really run"
"Hendrick Ekpe has put on 14 pounds and weighs 240 pounds."
"Chris Streveler is a 4.5 guy that can change direction."
"Jordan Hinojosa is defensive tackle that's working hard."
Kill then told the audience that Berkley Edwards won the Michigan 60 meter sprint yesterday (state title).
Kill concluded the question saying they've improved the team in speed and athleticism!
4) Mona said Marquies Gray ran a 4.69 forty this morning: Kill said he always maintained Gray was a 4.7 guy. By running the 4.69 he proved him right. He's excited for Marquies Gray.
Later, after the Kill segment was over, Mona said he thinks the pros are looking at Gray as a receiver. If he's plays tight end, he'll have to put on more weight. He added, a 4.7 tight end would be impressive.
5) Sid asked if Zach Mottla would be ready for spring drills: Kill said, "No . . . We want to be smart." He said Jon Christenson now weighs 305 and is doing a good job. He said he expects good competition at the center position, including the Ohio State transfer.
6) Mona asked if the practice locker room project was completed: Kill said it was completed . . . "Good for the kids (attitude)" . . . people did an outstanding job in refurbishing the locker room.
7) Maxx Williams: "He's going to be a great player in our program." Kill said he could have played last year, but they wanted to redshirt him, especially after he suffered an injury in the fall that set him back a little.
Kill then said he's excited with last year's recruits and redshirts. The Gophers played 11 true freshmen last year and in the bowl game. The 11 redshirts gained valuable training in bowl game preparations.
8) Sid asked about charity events/projects: Kill said the recent bone marrow match project was a success. They're planning a special project for the spring game and are working to establish a Gary Tinsley scholarship.
9) Mona asked about Kill's recent participation at a NIKE camp in St. Louis and an upcoming NIKE camp in Philadelphia: Kill said the camps help in recruiting. It's an opportunity to connect and reconnect with high school coaches . . . "It's all about relationships." He said he knows a lot of the coaches in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas. (He was a high school coach in the St. Louis area before he advanced to the collegiate level, and, of course, has recruited the state of Missouri when he was at Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois and while at Pittsburgh State, and now that he's at Minnesota.)
Go Gophers!!
