Mike Max joined Dave Mona on today’s Sports Huddle. Sid Hartman took a rare day off from ‘CCOs weekly sports-talk show.
Coach Kill’s responses and comments to the queries raised by Mike and Dave are as follows:
1) Dave opened discussions by mentioning the start of the 2014 being a couple weeks away: Kill responded, “We had a camp yesterday . . . the weather’s been unique . . . the kids are here.” (One could detect a hint of excitement in Kill’s voice as he acknowledged that the start of another college football season is upon us.)
2) Dave cited the size of this year’s offensive line (he mentioned the starters’ height and weights): “Our kids have worked hard . . . third recruiting class . . . want to build depth . . . we’re almost there,” replied Kill. (Again, Kill sounded pleased with team’s size, athleticism, speed and the progress of the program’s development.)
3) Mike Max asked what the conference coaches discuss at their annual meeting in Chicago before the start of the season: Kill said the annual meeting is media driven; however, he said the coaches meet with conference executives and address/discuss specific issues and regulations coming from the NCAA. Bottom line: Kill said, “Welfare for the student athlete” is of prime importance as they (coaches) focus on issues that they believe need to be changed (NCAA rules and regulations). Their professional discussions last about two hours, which take place during the two-day conference.
4) Mike Max asked about the impact of the two new conference teams – Rutgers and Maryland: “We’ve become a national conference; that’s the brand . . . opens more areas for recruiting,” Kill answered. (Kill didn’t dwell specifically on Rutgers and Maryland’s entry other than being additional areas for increased fan bases and recruiting.)
5) Dave Mona asked a question related to rules and regulations that have taken place because of concussions and health problems due to head injuries: Kill quickly responded, “Biggest thing, getting back to techniques . . . Do a better job of teaching tackling techniques.” He also said the number of contact days and "awareness" of concussion-related problems has brought about new regulations and rules (practices and game). “Teaching, coaching, and being smart” are important facets in reducing head-related problems in the game of football. (Being smart is important for players when playing. Not being smart could lead to injury or ejection from the game.)
6) A follow-up question - Whether or not you have to have contact to teach technique was raised: “(Good) Tackling comes with fresh legs,” responded Kill. Kill then added to his comment by detailing certain techniques and what’s necessary for good techniques: “roll tackling” . . . tackling drills with dummies . . . be careful with what you do . . . (you’ve) got to be athletic and educate our guys.” Kill said you try to eliminate too much physical contact . . . you don’t want to risk injury, especially when fatigue sets in. As to technique and equipment - in the days before facemasks - Kill said the players didn’t want to lead with the head when tackling an opponent. Leading with one’s head, of course, is a big factor in head-related injuries. He emphasized the importance of proper tackling techniques in addressing the ever-increasing problem.
7) Dave Mona referenced NIU’s game with the Gophers when Kill was the head coach of the Huskies and their apparent flexibility on offense. Dave also mentioned Berkley Edwards and what he brings to the Gophers offense: Kill first addressed the comment related to Berkley Edwards: “Berkley was redshirted (due to an injury he suffered in fall drills last year) . . . Kill sounded pleased when he said, “(Berkley) has four years of eligibility.” “We were successful at Northern Illinois because of different weapons.” However, Kill then said, “(Minnesota) Tight end personnel pretty talented . . . we’re getting faster . . . more flexibility . . . (need)) getting the ball to right people.”
8) Max asked about the effect Brock Vereen and Ra’Shede Hageman being in the NFL has on Gopher recruiting: Kill also added Aaron Hill’s name to the duo (former Gophers during Kill’s tenure) currently in NFL camps. Hill is presently at the St. Louis Rams camp. Kill said having players in the NFL is a positive when it comes to recruiting. But he also credited the reputation of secondary coach Jay Sawvel: “Jay Sawvel has a a reputation as a very good teacher . . . six guys (defensive backs that played under Sawvel’s tutelage) playing the NFL . . . more credibility helps.” (Kill sounded very proud of Sawvel’s coaching abilities during his discussion of the Gopher secondary coach.)
Go Gophers!!
Coach Kill’s responses and comments to the queries raised by Mike and Dave are as follows:
1) Dave opened discussions by mentioning the start of the 2014 being a couple weeks away: Kill responded, “We had a camp yesterday . . . the weather’s been unique . . . the kids are here.” (One could detect a hint of excitement in Kill’s voice as he acknowledged that the start of another college football season is upon us.)
2) Dave cited the size of this year’s offensive line (he mentioned the starters’ height and weights): “Our kids have worked hard . . . third recruiting class . . . want to build depth . . . we’re almost there,” replied Kill. (Again, Kill sounded pleased with team’s size, athleticism, speed and the progress of the program’s development.)
3) Mike Max asked what the conference coaches discuss at their annual meeting in Chicago before the start of the season: Kill said the annual meeting is media driven; however, he said the coaches meet with conference executives and address/discuss specific issues and regulations coming from the NCAA. Bottom line: Kill said, “Welfare for the student athlete” is of prime importance as they (coaches) focus on issues that they believe need to be changed (NCAA rules and regulations). Their professional discussions last about two hours, which take place during the two-day conference.
4) Mike Max asked about the impact of the two new conference teams – Rutgers and Maryland: “We’ve become a national conference; that’s the brand . . . opens more areas for recruiting,” Kill answered. (Kill didn’t dwell specifically on Rutgers and Maryland’s entry other than being additional areas for increased fan bases and recruiting.)
5) Dave Mona asked a question related to rules and regulations that have taken place because of concussions and health problems due to head injuries: Kill quickly responded, “Biggest thing, getting back to techniques . . . Do a better job of teaching tackling techniques.” He also said the number of contact days and "awareness" of concussion-related problems has brought about new regulations and rules (practices and game). “Teaching, coaching, and being smart” are important facets in reducing head-related problems in the game of football. (Being smart is important for players when playing. Not being smart could lead to injury or ejection from the game.)
6) A follow-up question - Whether or not you have to have contact to teach technique was raised: “(Good) Tackling comes with fresh legs,” responded Kill. Kill then added to his comment by detailing certain techniques and what’s necessary for good techniques: “roll tackling” . . . tackling drills with dummies . . . be careful with what you do . . . (you’ve) got to be athletic and educate our guys.” Kill said you try to eliminate too much physical contact . . . you don’t want to risk injury, especially when fatigue sets in. As to technique and equipment - in the days before facemasks - Kill said the players didn’t want to lead with the head when tackling an opponent. Leading with one’s head, of course, is a big factor in head-related injuries. He emphasized the importance of proper tackling techniques in addressing the ever-increasing problem.
7) Dave Mona referenced NIU’s game with the Gophers when Kill was the head coach of the Huskies and their apparent flexibility on offense. Dave also mentioned Berkley Edwards and what he brings to the Gophers offense: Kill first addressed the comment related to Berkley Edwards: “Berkley was redshirted (due to an injury he suffered in fall drills last year) . . . Kill sounded pleased when he said, “(Berkley) has four years of eligibility.” “We were successful at Northern Illinois because of different weapons.” However, Kill then said, “(Minnesota) Tight end personnel pretty talented . . . we’re getting faster . . . more flexibility . . . (need)) getting the ball to right people.”
8) Max asked about the effect Brock Vereen and Ra’Shede Hageman being in the NFL has on Gopher recruiting: Kill also added Aaron Hill’s name to the duo (former Gophers during Kill’s tenure) currently in NFL camps. Hill is presently at the St. Louis Rams camp. Kill said having players in the NFL is a positive when it comes to recruiting. But he also credited the reputation of secondary coach Jay Sawvel: “Jay Sawvel has a a reputation as a very good teacher . . . six guys (defensive backs that played under Sawvel’s tutelage) playing the NFL . . . more credibility helps.” (Kill sounded very proud of Sawvel’s coaching abilities during his discussion of the Gopher secondary coach.)
Go Gophers!!
