Coach Kill's comments and responses to Sid Hartman and Dave Mona's questions on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the segment asking about coach Kill's participation in recent coaching clinics: "Things went well . . . opportunity to finish my first Nike Clinic in Philadelphia . . . it was successful." He arrived home from the Pennsylvania clinic late last night. Kill said he was surprised by the number of alums/players and fans that he met in the Quaker State city. It's important, according to Kill, that they spend time in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area recruiting, especially since Rutgers and Maryland are joing the B1G Conference.
It (clinics) helps recruiting because of the relationships and networking that goes on with the high school coaches. He went onto say his coaches are in demand for speaking engagements at football clinics across the country, which also helps in their recruiting initiatives.
He closed the question by saying that next week will be the first week since the bowl game that they don't have a scheduled appearance (recruiting, clinics, etc.).
2) Sid asked what the players are doing now and before the start of spring drills: Kill's short answer was that they've been busy focusing on their academics and participating in the morning workouts. He sounded pleased with the team's effort in the weight room, "Getting bigger and stronger . . . strong advancements." He said there's been competition in the weight room and that this year's freshmen class has benefitted from the competitive workouts.
3) Dave Mona asked coach Kill about players playing multiple sports: "I think it's a maturity thing." He's not in favor of freshmen playing more than one sport. However, he went onto say that it's also a parental consideration and they discuss it when they're recruiting an athlete: "How well they do in school and what the parents think." After the freshman year, Kill is more open to a player playing multiple sports. He closed by saying it's a difficult thing to do (play more than one sport) and the athletes usually decide to focus on only one sport after trying multiple sports.
4) Sid once again asked about the four recruits that are already on campus:
Damien Wilson has dropped about ten pounds and is about 250 and can really run.
Hendrick Ekpe is on the same track as his brother, Scott, according to coach Kill. He's gained about 19 pounds and is about 240 pounds and can really run. He'll play DE.
Chris Streveler is 6-3 and 200 pounds. Kill said the Illinois high school product is "One of the fastest kids on the team . . . very quick."
They were the only players discussed.
5) Mona asked about a player holding down both the punting and place kicking duties: "If you have someone that can do both well - great . . . we're working on our kicking game; we have to." He said they're recruiting players in the two specialty areas: "Our kicking game at Minnesota (since he's been here)has not been a comfort zone."
He then talked about the importance of the kicking game, especially in close games . . . making a critical field goal or a great punt in a close game.
6) Sid asked about possible rule changes: Kill briefly talked about the problem of concussions by head-to-head contact in the secondary. Kill said under discussion is the immediate ejection of a player from the game that commits a head-to-head foul. He said there is concern about the move: "Who's going to make that call (ejection)?" And it's his belief that an instant replay should be viewed before a player is ejected.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking about coach Kill's participation in recent coaching clinics: "Things went well . . . opportunity to finish my first Nike Clinic in Philadelphia . . . it was successful." He arrived home from the Pennsylvania clinic late last night. Kill said he was surprised by the number of alums/players and fans that he met in the Quaker State city. It's important, according to Kill, that they spend time in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area recruiting, especially since Rutgers and Maryland are joing the B1G Conference.
It (clinics) helps recruiting because of the relationships and networking that goes on with the high school coaches. He went onto say his coaches are in demand for speaking engagements at football clinics across the country, which also helps in their recruiting initiatives.
He closed the question by saying that next week will be the first week since the bowl game that they don't have a scheduled appearance (recruiting, clinics, etc.).
2) Sid asked what the players are doing now and before the start of spring drills: Kill's short answer was that they've been busy focusing on their academics and participating in the morning workouts. He sounded pleased with the team's effort in the weight room, "Getting bigger and stronger . . . strong advancements." He said there's been competition in the weight room and that this year's freshmen class has benefitted from the competitive workouts.
3) Dave Mona asked coach Kill about players playing multiple sports: "I think it's a maturity thing." He's not in favor of freshmen playing more than one sport. However, he went onto say that it's also a parental consideration and they discuss it when they're recruiting an athlete: "How well they do in school and what the parents think." After the freshman year, Kill is more open to a player playing multiple sports. He closed by saying it's a difficult thing to do (play more than one sport) and the athletes usually decide to focus on only one sport after trying multiple sports.
4) Sid once again asked about the four recruits that are already on campus:
Damien Wilson has dropped about ten pounds and is about 250 and can really run.
Hendrick Ekpe is on the same track as his brother, Scott, according to coach Kill. He's gained about 19 pounds and is about 240 pounds and can really run. He'll play DE.
Chris Streveler is 6-3 and 200 pounds. Kill said the Illinois high school product is "One of the fastest kids on the team . . . very quick."
They were the only players discussed.
5) Mona asked about a player holding down both the punting and place kicking duties: "If you have someone that can do both well - great . . . we're working on our kicking game; we have to." He said they're recruiting players in the two specialty areas: "Our kicking game at Minnesota (since he's been here)has not been a comfort zone."
He then talked about the importance of the kicking game, especially in close games . . . making a critical field goal or a great punt in a close game.
6) Sid asked about possible rule changes: Kill briefly talked about the problem of concussions by head-to-head contact in the secondary. Kill said under discussion is the immediate ejection of a player from the game that commits a head-to-head foul. He said there is concern about the move: "Who's going to make that call (ejection)?" And it's his belief that an instant replay should be viewed before a player is ejected.
Go Gophers!!
