Coach Kill's responses to Sid Hartman and Dave Mona' queries on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment by asking a couple questions from last week's show. The first question was about NCAA rules related to recruiting and were they still recruiting: Kill responded, "We still have coaches on the road . . . a couple more days . . . Thursday they'll be back in the office."
Sid asked a follow-up question - how many will you sign this year? (Because of variables) "It's hard to say," he replied. However, he anticipates signing 14-17 recruits this year. He said it will be a relatively small class.
He closed the question by saying the response from recruits has been good . . . they're in on some good prospects . . . feels good about the recruiting process.
2) Sid, once again, asked about the effects of last winter's bowl game with Texas Tech: Kill said being a national game and the only game on television that night was a positive thing. He's received good feedback about the game, even though the Gophers lost the game in the final moments.
He closed saying this is a critical time in recruiting and that he anxious to visit with the coaches, to get their take on the players that they've evaluated and visited with.
3) Mona asked a question about social media outlets and communication matters (keeping within NCAA rules): Kill replied, "It's hard and it's changing all the time . . . we have to be careful." They (coaches) keep in contact with the school's compliance personnel and NCAA office officials.
The hardest part, as far as Kill is concerned, "Biggest part is keeping track of phone calls made to recruits." Schools are limited in the number of calls that can be made to a recruit. The coaching staff must keep a handle on the number of times a player is contacted via land lines or mobile calls.
4) Sid asked again about the 2014 schedule: Kill, laughing, said, "We (Minnesota) do things the hard way." He was referencing the cross over opponents that appear on the Gophers' schedule - Ohio State and Michigan. He said Minnesota next year will have one of the toughest schedules in the country. He said it will be a challenge, competitive, and good for the fans. He also acknowledged he was more worried about the 2013 schedule.
He closed the question by saying "No one wants to be average (fans, coaches, or players)." So as not to be average, Kill said they need to build the program and make daily improvements.
5) Sid referenced a CBS sports authority that is high on Ra'Shede Hageman: "His (Hageman's) future is very bright." He said Hageman is 6-6 and about 315. He compared his athleticism with that of Brandon Jacobs. He also cited his improvements in academics and his attitude: Hageman wrote down what he needs to do to improve, listing his shortcomings, which impressed Kill.
He closed the question saying he would like to have 4 or 5 Hagemans on offense and defense (difference makers).
6) Mona cited positive comments that he received from academic personnel at the U. The counselors credited Kill and his staff with the team's improvement in academics: Kill said the first phase in turning around a program is accountability. They've held the players accountable for their work in the classroom and the players have responded positively. He also mentioned the positive relationship that they've built with the academic department. He mentioned specifically two people: Jackie and Lynn (I didn't get the last names, if they were given).
Regarding the positive relationships that have been developed with the academic staff, Kill said, "Takes a lot of people working together," when you try to change and turn around a program.
7) Sid asked what the players summer schedule looks like when they return to school: Kill said they've given the players a workout outline (goals and objectives and expectations). He went on to say: "Several in rehab . . . many will be going to summer school." The voluntary workouts are crucial and they depend on team (players) leadership to get the players to participate, which is critical, as is their work in the weight room.
His final comments focused on the season opener and the specific challenge the coaches and team will face in their preparations for UNLV and the Thursday night game. Fall practices begin on August 1st; however, because summer school is in session until August 9th, they cannot have two-a-day practices the first week. The practices won't start until three in the afternoon. As a result, coach Kill said they'll have to manage their time and make adjustments later (after summer school is completed).
8) Sid asked Kill how many speaking engagements he had last week: Kill didn't give a number, but he did say he enjoys getting out and meeting the fan base. He enjoys talking about the team and the progress that they're making. He said the fans are truly interested in the team and what improvements are taking place.
He ended this week's segment saying: "I wish everyone a good holiday and God Bless our Veterans."
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment by asking a couple questions from last week's show. The first question was about NCAA rules related to recruiting and were they still recruiting: Kill responded, "We still have coaches on the road . . . a couple more days . . . Thursday they'll be back in the office."
Sid asked a follow-up question - how many will you sign this year? (Because of variables) "It's hard to say," he replied. However, he anticipates signing 14-17 recruits this year. He said it will be a relatively small class.
He closed the question by saying the response from recruits has been good . . . they're in on some good prospects . . . feels good about the recruiting process.
2) Sid, once again, asked about the effects of last winter's bowl game with Texas Tech: Kill said being a national game and the only game on television that night was a positive thing. He's received good feedback about the game, even though the Gophers lost the game in the final moments.
He closed saying this is a critical time in recruiting and that he anxious to visit with the coaches, to get their take on the players that they've evaluated and visited with.
3) Mona asked a question about social media outlets and communication matters (keeping within NCAA rules): Kill replied, "It's hard and it's changing all the time . . . we have to be careful." They (coaches) keep in contact with the school's compliance personnel and NCAA office officials.
The hardest part, as far as Kill is concerned, "Biggest part is keeping track of phone calls made to recruits." Schools are limited in the number of calls that can be made to a recruit. The coaching staff must keep a handle on the number of times a player is contacted via land lines or mobile calls.
4) Sid asked again about the 2014 schedule: Kill, laughing, said, "We (Minnesota) do things the hard way." He was referencing the cross over opponents that appear on the Gophers' schedule - Ohio State and Michigan. He said Minnesota next year will have one of the toughest schedules in the country. He said it will be a challenge, competitive, and good for the fans. He also acknowledged he was more worried about the 2013 schedule.
He closed the question by saying "No one wants to be average (fans, coaches, or players)." So as not to be average, Kill said they need to build the program and make daily improvements.
5) Sid referenced a CBS sports authority that is high on Ra'Shede Hageman: "His (Hageman's) future is very bright." He said Hageman is 6-6 and about 315. He compared his athleticism with that of Brandon Jacobs. He also cited his improvements in academics and his attitude: Hageman wrote down what he needs to do to improve, listing his shortcomings, which impressed Kill.
He closed the question saying he would like to have 4 or 5 Hagemans on offense and defense (difference makers).
6) Mona cited positive comments that he received from academic personnel at the U. The counselors credited Kill and his staff with the team's improvement in academics: Kill said the first phase in turning around a program is accountability. They've held the players accountable for their work in the classroom and the players have responded positively. He also mentioned the positive relationship that they've built with the academic department. He mentioned specifically two people: Jackie and Lynn (I didn't get the last names, if they were given).
Regarding the positive relationships that have been developed with the academic staff, Kill said, "Takes a lot of people working together," when you try to change and turn around a program.
7) Sid asked what the players summer schedule looks like when they return to school: Kill said they've given the players a workout outline (goals and objectives and expectations). He went on to say: "Several in rehab . . . many will be going to summer school." The voluntary workouts are crucial and they depend on team (players) leadership to get the players to participate, which is critical, as is their work in the weight room.
His final comments focused on the season opener and the specific challenge the coaches and team will face in their preparations for UNLV and the Thursday night game. Fall practices begin on August 1st; however, because summer school is in session until August 9th, they cannot have two-a-day practices the first week. The practices won't start until three in the afternoon. As a result, coach Kill said they'll have to manage their time and make adjustments later (after summer school is completed).
8) Sid asked Kill how many speaking engagements he had last week: Kill didn't give a number, but he did say he enjoys getting out and meeting the fan base. He enjoys talking about the team and the progress that they're making. He said the fans are truly interested in the team and what improvements are taking place.
He ended this week's segment saying: "I wish everyone a good holiday and God Bless our Veterans."
Go Gophers!!
