Mike Max joined Sid Hartman in the questioning of Coach Jerry Kill on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid’s first question dealt with summer camps at the University of Minnesota: “We’re on the downside . . . finish up today,” said Jerry Kill. (This afternoon’s camp is 1-5 and is a camp for juniors.)
Next month – July 19 is a “Junior Day.” The following day is a one-day camp and the final camp for this summer.
2) Sid asked if they know a lot of the prospects when they arrive on campus and partricipate in the camps: Kill said what you do after signing day in February is extremely important in recruiting next year’s class. He mentioned the importance of Junior Days and on-the-road evaluations which lead to invitations to the summer camps. They try to get the prospects that they’re interested in to attend one of the summer camps (a chance to evaluate the players further and introduce them to the university and its coaching staff.)
3) Sid wanted to know if they offer scholarships to campers based strictly on one’s athleticism: Kill said it’s unusual to offer strictly on the athleticism displayed at a camp, “A lot of research before kids get to camp.” However, he added, “Sometimes you know more about some than others.” As a result, it’s extremely important that high school players attend the summer camps – a chance to get noticed and display their abilities as football players – for up close evaluation.
4) Mike Max asked about media days in late July: Kill said media days in Chicago and Bristol, CT are three days of publicity for the Big 10. The first two days in Chicago are devoted to answering questions by reporters from all of the states in the Big Ten Conference. The last day of questioning and promotion is conducted at the ESPN Studios in Bristol.
5) Sid said he understood Coach Kill is an active participant - including at Kill’s house - in fund raising for new athletic facilities at the U: “We’re doing some things at our house and throughout the Twin Cities,” said Kill. He strives to illustrate the importance and direction they need to go in improving the school’s athletic facilities.
Kill then turned his attention to the changes that he foresees in the near future in college football, “A stipend is coming to college football . . . is going to change budgets . . . large amounts of money needed to help student athletes.” He also said schools will have to adopt and adapt to the changes, if they want to remain competitive within the Big 10 Conference as well as with schools across the country.
6) Sid, once again, asked about contact with the players by the coaching staff during summer school: Kill replied, “It’s loosened up somewhat.” Coaches can be in the weight room with the players and two hours per week with the players in the film room and/or on the practice field.
Kill proceeded to talk about team leadership and its positive influence on the players, “Most motivated (team) since I’ve been at Minnesota . . . We’ve got good leadership . . . (keeping) everybody accountable.” As an example of team motivation, Kill said the players are preparing themselves for the upcoming season and have watched a “ton” of film.
7) Kill was asked if he expects the team to be better in 2014: Kill quickly and emphatically responded, “We’ll be better!” He cited the secondary and the line backing corps as strengths. He cited three linebackers in his comments: De’Vondre Campbell is now 6-5, 235 pounds. He also said Damien Wilson and Jack Lynn have shown improvement.
As to the defensive front, Kill said, “Recruited pretty good.” He singled out two players in his comments about the defensive line: Cameron Botticelli and Scott Epke. He sounded pleased and excited when he cited the two defensive linemen.
When he turned to the offense, “Offensive side needs firepower . . . (recruited) five wide receivers in to help.”
Kill sounded upbeat when he briefly mentioned the team’s running backs, however, he didn’t mention any names. He said they need the receiving corps to step up and take some pressure off the running backs with a downfield passing game.
8) Sid closed the show by asking about the team’s recent signee, Desmond Gant: Kill answered, “He played for Kurt Becker (former Wolverine and NFL player) . . . Desmond is a late developer . . . 6-3 210 pounds . . . smart kid . . . a little raw . . . not in a hurry (to rush Desmond along).” Although he didn’t say he’d redshirt Desmond, as he did last week, he certainly inferred that Gant would spend his first year learning and adjusting to the college game.
Coach Kill said he developed a solid working relationship with Becker when he was head coach at Northern Illinois University.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid’s first question dealt with summer camps at the University of Minnesota: “We’re on the downside . . . finish up today,” said Jerry Kill. (This afternoon’s camp is 1-5 and is a camp for juniors.)
Next month – July 19 is a “Junior Day.” The following day is a one-day camp and the final camp for this summer.
2) Sid asked if they know a lot of the prospects when they arrive on campus and partricipate in the camps: Kill said what you do after signing day in February is extremely important in recruiting next year’s class. He mentioned the importance of Junior Days and on-the-road evaluations which lead to invitations to the summer camps. They try to get the prospects that they’re interested in to attend one of the summer camps (a chance to evaluate the players further and introduce them to the university and its coaching staff.)
3) Sid wanted to know if they offer scholarships to campers based strictly on one’s athleticism: Kill said it’s unusual to offer strictly on the athleticism displayed at a camp, “A lot of research before kids get to camp.” However, he added, “Sometimes you know more about some than others.” As a result, it’s extremely important that high school players attend the summer camps – a chance to get noticed and display their abilities as football players – for up close evaluation.
4) Mike Max asked about media days in late July: Kill said media days in Chicago and Bristol, CT are three days of publicity for the Big 10. The first two days in Chicago are devoted to answering questions by reporters from all of the states in the Big Ten Conference. The last day of questioning and promotion is conducted at the ESPN Studios in Bristol.
5) Sid said he understood Coach Kill is an active participant - including at Kill’s house - in fund raising for new athletic facilities at the U: “We’re doing some things at our house and throughout the Twin Cities,” said Kill. He strives to illustrate the importance and direction they need to go in improving the school’s athletic facilities.
Kill then turned his attention to the changes that he foresees in the near future in college football, “A stipend is coming to college football . . . is going to change budgets . . . large amounts of money needed to help student athletes.” He also said schools will have to adopt and adapt to the changes, if they want to remain competitive within the Big 10 Conference as well as with schools across the country.
6) Sid, once again, asked about contact with the players by the coaching staff during summer school: Kill replied, “It’s loosened up somewhat.” Coaches can be in the weight room with the players and two hours per week with the players in the film room and/or on the practice field.
Kill proceeded to talk about team leadership and its positive influence on the players, “Most motivated (team) since I’ve been at Minnesota . . . We’ve got good leadership . . . (keeping) everybody accountable.” As an example of team motivation, Kill said the players are preparing themselves for the upcoming season and have watched a “ton” of film.
7) Kill was asked if he expects the team to be better in 2014: Kill quickly and emphatically responded, “We’ll be better!” He cited the secondary and the line backing corps as strengths. He cited three linebackers in his comments: De’Vondre Campbell is now 6-5, 235 pounds. He also said Damien Wilson and Jack Lynn have shown improvement.
As to the defensive front, Kill said, “Recruited pretty good.” He singled out two players in his comments about the defensive line: Cameron Botticelli and Scott Epke. He sounded pleased and excited when he cited the two defensive linemen.
When he turned to the offense, “Offensive side needs firepower . . . (recruited) five wide receivers in to help.”
Kill sounded upbeat when he briefly mentioned the team’s running backs, however, he didn’t mention any names. He said they need the receiving corps to step up and take some pressure off the running backs with a downfield passing game.
8) Sid closed the show by asking about the team’s recent signee, Desmond Gant: Kill answered, “He played for Kurt Becker (former Wolverine and NFL player) . . . Desmond is a late developer . . . 6-3 210 pounds . . . smart kid . . . a little raw . . . not in a hurry (to rush Desmond along).” Although he didn’t say he’d redshirt Desmond, as he did last week, he certainly inferred that Gant would spend his first year learning and adjusting to the college game.
Coach Kill said he developed a solid working relationship with Becker when he was head coach at Northern Illinois University.
Go Gophers!!
