Gophers hiring Kevin Kane for on-field coaching role.

[NoelarBear]

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

We stalking him with that photo?

 

[Word]

So he's the actual DC now?

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

So he's the actual DC now?

Assistant to the traveling secretary DC…

 

[ShushPush]

This guy dresses worse than Ben Johnson. Should we be concerned?

 

[GophersInIowa]

Has good experience

 

[spermophilus]

“Co”-Kane?!?

 

[gopherphil]

This guy dresses worse than Ben Johnson. Should we be concerned?

Last time I checked he beat Iowa, so imo he can dress anyway he wants…

 

[UncleSam'sMisguidedChild]

Last time I checked he beat Iowa, so imo he can dress anyway he wants…

I don't think you need great defense to beat Iowa.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

“Co”-Kane?!?

 

[matt]

His defenses were not good. I’m not sure what his role is, but I’m not a fan of this hire at first blush.

 

[Slim Tubby]

View attachment 35460

We hired Rabbit from Super Troopers???

 

[fmlizard]

He's a badger (grad school) who just coached by far the worst defense in the conference at Purdue. I dunno about this one.

 

[Word]

He's a badger (grad school) who just coached by far the worst defense in the conference at Purdue. I dunno about this one.

He was part of that great Walters defense at Illinois. Hard to know how much credit to give them for Illinois defense vs blame for Purdue struggles

 

[USAF]

Last time I checked he beat Iowa, so imo he can dress anyway he wants…

LOL.

17-50, but by God for another couple days this lame-ass excuse works, I guess.

 

[GophersInIowa]

He's a badger (grad school) who just coached by far the worst defense in the conference at Purdue. I dunno about this one.

Perhaps he’s a good position coach but not as good at calling plays.

 

[ShushPush]

Last time I checked he beat Iowa, so imo he can dress anyway he wants…

He also dressed better.

 

[MaxyJR1]

His defenses were not good. I’m not sure what his role is, but I’m not a fan of this hire at first blush.

His HC was the influence on defense. I’m guessing CB’s coach

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

 

[50PoundHead]

Darn it. I was hoping for Johnny Kane.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I had forgotten that the NCAA eliminated the limit on the number of on-field coaches.

(it was 11 - the head coach and 10 "on-field" assistants - until the summer of '24, when the rule was changed.)

so Gophers staff as of now - 13 by my count

(edited to reflect new information per Randy Johnson at the Strib:

Fleck - HC
Harbaugh - OC/QB
Simon - co-OC/WR
Callahan - OL
McKissic-Luke - RB
Koehler - TE
Monroe - CB (listed as co-DC)
Collins - DC/ Safeties
W. DeLat - DL
Ligashesky - Special teams
Sori-Marin - LB
Kane - nickels/Outside LB's
Dennis Dottin-Carter - Rush DE's

 

[btowngopher]

Darn it. I was hoping for Johnny Kane.

Was hoping Kane Rob parlayed his YouTube show.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Had quality DC stints at Northern Illinois and SMU. Winning records at both stops. Coach for Bielema twice and was named Associate HC under him at Illinois. Followed the DC to Purdue and was DC.

From Wiki

Purdue​

[edit]
Following the 2022 season, Kane followed Walters to Purdue as the defensive coordinator.[5] At Purdue, Kane introduced a new defensive scheme called the Air Strike that focuses on creating confusion for the opposing offense by making coverage look the same every play with a focus on the outside linebackers.[6]

 

[short ornery norwegian]

another update -

Keegan O'Hara promoted from offensive analyst to Assistant QB Coach.

which puts the coaching list at 14.

 

[dog mustard]

Spending that heatherman money now

 

[Spaulding!No!]

He is getting closer to that ‘dream’ job at a certain school in a neighboring state.

 

[Stuff]

Interesting hire. Had the worst B1G defense in 2023 & 2024.

Failing upwards?

 

[MaxyJR1]

Interesting hire. Had the worst B1G defense in 2023 & 2024.

Failing upwards?

He's our Nickles/Outside LB coach. Hardly failed upwards.

 

[pharmacygopher]

Interesting hire. Had the worst B1G defense in 2023 & 2024.

Failing upwards?

Kevin Kane - Football Coach - University of Minnesota Athletics

Kevin Kane joined the University of Minnesota coaching staff in January 2025 and will coach nickels and outside linebackers. Kane comes to Minnesota from Pur...

gophersports.com

His stops at Illinois, SMU, NIU seem promoting.

And as noted, he's coaching nickles and outside linebackers, he's not here to be DC.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I think the hiring of Kane is exactly what it appears to be -- Fleck is bringing in a guy who's been a DC and can offer some help to a 1st-time coordinator in Collins.

Kane can also be a resource for Sori-Marin who is in his 1st season as a bona-fide position coach. can't hurt to have an older, more experienced guy for the younger coaches to bounce ideas off and ask questions.