First, I want to thank the GopherHolers that responded to my thread request for questions for Sid and Dave Mona to ask Jerry Kill on today's Sports Huddle. Dave mentioned GopherHole.com and the questions raised, which he appreciated. Coach Kill's responses to the GopherHole questions will be cited in today's summary, and the member that raised the question will be recognized. Thanks much.
1) Sid opened the questioning by asking how many seniors will be starting on offense and defense: Kill replied, "(We're) A very young team . . . a team that's worked hard." Kill said he anticipates 1 or 2 seniors starting on offense and 3 on defense.
2) Sid asked about competition on the offensive line. Sid said because of the multiple injuries to offensive linemen last year, a lot of players gained valuable experience and all are back this year: Kill mentioned three players on the offensive line:
a) "Josh Campion did a tremendous job." He also said he's a leader and is physically strong.
b) Eddie Olson - it's important that he's back and that he stays healthy.
c) Zac Epping - "Had a good year . . . tough kid that battled through injuries."
Kill concluded by saying although the players are competing for the five starting positions on the offensive line, in truth, they're competing for 8 slots because of the injuries and bumps that occur during the season.
3) Sid asked if they offered any of the kids that have participated in their summer camps this month: Kill replied, "Yes. Several offers extended." He then, again, reiterated the importance of the camps, especially for players that don't have spring drills.
4) Dave Mona asked four GopherHole questions:
a) (nsmike) How long will it take to straighten out the class size (balance)? Kill said balance will be achieved soon. He said it takes three recruiting classes, so that problem should be taken care of after this year's class. He said it took three years to achieve balance at Northern Illinois University.
b) (defirma) How is Devon Wright healing up?: Kill said Wright's healing is going well. He expects Wright to be ready when the fall drills begin August 1.
(CWCWCW) Kill also talked about Marcus Jones: "Need to keep him healthy . . . natural corner." Jones played corner in high school . . . has speed and quickness . . . will return kicks . . . Jones' move to corner will add speed and depth at the corner position.
c) (short ornery Norwegian) Do you have any rules for players using social media? Do you monitor player postings on social media?: Kill elaborated at length about the problems that occur because of social media postings. He acknowledged social media is here and they have to deal with it. He said they spend a lot of time educating the players and coaches about the pitfalls of social media - what you say and post is there for everyone to see - can't retract once it's said. He has a couple of coaches or staff members that monitor facebook and other social media outlets. They were ready to offer some players but then saw what they had posted on facebook and offers were not extended. Kill went onto say they give a lot of classes and have outside speakers address the team about social media.
Kill admitted: Social media is "Huge problem . . . kids, all are going to do it." Everybody (coaches) has to deal with the challenges that social media presents. He reminds his players and staff that they represent the school and state and to be careful what they say and post.
5) Sid spoke briefly about the public relations work that coach Kill provides to community groups. He then asked how he can sell Minnesota football to recruits from Texas, Alabama, Californian, etc.: The key, according to Kill, is to get the recruit on campus. Minnesota has a lot to sell. He shows the recruits the campus via golf carts. They also talk about the amenities and assets of the Twin Cities and the state. He talks about the Fortune 500 companies and employment opportunities in the Twin Cities. He also gives them a list of former players that stayed, work and reside in the area. In short, he sells the school, Twin Cities and the natural resources and beauty of the state.
Competition is also a strong selling point. Kill tells them if they want to play the best they will in the Big 10.
6) Sid cited the advantages of extra face time between players and coaches in the off-season that basketball and other sports enjoy: Kill said they're (football coaches) working to bring about similar changes that other sports have. Kill said there'll be a lot changes related to college football that'll be announced by the start of fall practice (August 1).
The players are conducting informal, voluntary drills. Kill called the summer work by the players as "Captain workouts." One of the benefits of the voluntary workouts is the development of leaders - players that take charge and show leadership.
7) Sid said Kill has enjoyed success of having players stay out of trouble. (Sid alluded to Lamonte Edwards being the exception. He didn't mention Edwards' name): Kill replied, "Any coach that says they don't have problems (players committing missteps) are kidding." He said you have to set standards and hold people accountable.
Kill said he believes in giving a player a second, third, or even 4th chances - football is important (scholarships, education, and a way out of dire conditions) so he tries to be patient with players and their mistakes; however, there comes a time that you have to take action for the betterment of the team - when a players does something over and over you take action.
8) Sid mentioned the number of players from the south and west that have attended the camps: Number one goal is to get them to visit; however, he also said they're working the state of Minnesota and adjoining states as well . . . "ton of kids on campus" this summer. Looking forward to getting more players to visit during the two camps next month. He also said the current players do a good job recruiting players that are visiting the campus.
He said the strength and conditioning coaches have remarked that the current class signed (2013) is very athletic.
Kill's biggest concern is leadership . . . who's going to step up and lead? He mentioned Josh Campion, Philip Nelson and Aaron Hill as having leadership skills.
He said several camp kids have been offered tenders to play football at Minnesota.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the questioning by asking how many seniors will be starting on offense and defense: Kill replied, "(We're) A very young team . . . a team that's worked hard." Kill said he anticipates 1 or 2 seniors starting on offense and 3 on defense.
2) Sid asked about competition on the offensive line. Sid said because of the multiple injuries to offensive linemen last year, a lot of players gained valuable experience and all are back this year: Kill mentioned three players on the offensive line:
a) "Josh Campion did a tremendous job." He also said he's a leader and is physically strong.
b) Eddie Olson - it's important that he's back and that he stays healthy.
c) Zac Epping - "Had a good year . . . tough kid that battled through injuries."
Kill concluded by saying although the players are competing for the five starting positions on the offensive line, in truth, they're competing for 8 slots because of the injuries and bumps that occur during the season.
3) Sid asked if they offered any of the kids that have participated in their summer camps this month: Kill replied, "Yes. Several offers extended." He then, again, reiterated the importance of the camps, especially for players that don't have spring drills.
4) Dave Mona asked four GopherHole questions:
a) (nsmike) How long will it take to straighten out the class size (balance)? Kill said balance will be achieved soon. He said it takes three recruiting classes, so that problem should be taken care of after this year's class. He said it took three years to achieve balance at Northern Illinois University.
b) (defirma) How is Devon Wright healing up?: Kill said Wright's healing is going well. He expects Wright to be ready when the fall drills begin August 1.
(CWCWCW) Kill also talked about Marcus Jones: "Need to keep him healthy . . . natural corner." Jones played corner in high school . . . has speed and quickness . . . will return kicks . . . Jones' move to corner will add speed and depth at the corner position.
c) (short ornery Norwegian) Do you have any rules for players using social media? Do you monitor player postings on social media?: Kill elaborated at length about the problems that occur because of social media postings. He acknowledged social media is here and they have to deal with it. He said they spend a lot of time educating the players and coaches about the pitfalls of social media - what you say and post is there for everyone to see - can't retract once it's said. He has a couple of coaches or staff members that monitor facebook and other social media outlets. They were ready to offer some players but then saw what they had posted on facebook and offers were not extended. Kill went onto say they give a lot of classes and have outside speakers address the team about social media.
Kill admitted: Social media is "Huge problem . . . kids, all are going to do it." Everybody (coaches) has to deal with the challenges that social media presents. He reminds his players and staff that they represent the school and state and to be careful what they say and post.
5) Sid spoke briefly about the public relations work that coach Kill provides to community groups. He then asked how he can sell Minnesota football to recruits from Texas, Alabama, Californian, etc.: The key, according to Kill, is to get the recruit on campus. Minnesota has a lot to sell. He shows the recruits the campus via golf carts. They also talk about the amenities and assets of the Twin Cities and the state. He talks about the Fortune 500 companies and employment opportunities in the Twin Cities. He also gives them a list of former players that stayed, work and reside in the area. In short, he sells the school, Twin Cities and the natural resources and beauty of the state.
Competition is also a strong selling point. Kill tells them if they want to play the best they will in the Big 10.
6) Sid cited the advantages of extra face time between players and coaches in the off-season that basketball and other sports enjoy: Kill said they're (football coaches) working to bring about similar changes that other sports have. Kill said there'll be a lot changes related to college football that'll be announced by the start of fall practice (August 1).
The players are conducting informal, voluntary drills. Kill called the summer work by the players as "Captain workouts." One of the benefits of the voluntary workouts is the development of leaders - players that take charge and show leadership.
7) Sid said Kill has enjoyed success of having players stay out of trouble. (Sid alluded to Lamonte Edwards being the exception. He didn't mention Edwards' name): Kill replied, "Any coach that says they don't have problems (players committing missteps) are kidding." He said you have to set standards and hold people accountable.
Kill said he believes in giving a player a second, third, or even 4th chances - football is important (scholarships, education, and a way out of dire conditions) so he tries to be patient with players and their mistakes; however, there comes a time that you have to take action for the betterment of the team - when a players does something over and over you take action.
8) Sid mentioned the number of players from the south and west that have attended the camps: Number one goal is to get them to visit; however, he also said they're working the state of Minnesota and adjoining states as well . . . "ton of kids on campus" this summer. Looking forward to getting more players to visit during the two camps next month. He also said the current players do a good job recruiting players that are visiting the campus.
He said the strength and conditioning coaches have remarked that the current class signed (2013) is very athletic.
Kill's biggest concern is leadership . . . who's going to step up and lead? He mentioned Josh Campion, Philip Nelson and Aaron Hill as having leadership skills.
He said several camp kids have been offered tenders to play football at Minnesota.
Go Gophers!!
