So, I was completely off the grid yesterday from 3pm to 9pm. I get home, and the internet is down (thanks Comcast!). I find out about Jerry Kill via numerous text messages while Christmas shopping with Mrs. Stan. Here are my thoughts after having 15 hours or so to digest the news.
First, a thought to everybody who is negative on the Kill hire please do not direct your angst against Coach Kill. Direct your angst at Joel Maturi. Not for hiring Coach Kill, but for creating an atmosphere where the hiring would be viewed as a disappointment. It is Joel Maturi who stupidly stood on a podium in October and said his goal was a Tubby Smith type hire. Joel Maturi created an environment of expectation of a splash hire like Mike Leach, Mike Bellotti or Phil Fulmer. Do not hold that against Jerry Kill.
I, for one, am willing to give Coach Kill a chance. He has a proven track record of improving teams and has DI experience as a head coach.
I am probably in the minority, but I would much rather have Jerry Kill over a guy like Randy Edsall who has proven of an extended period of time to be nothing more than mediocre in the Big East.
Guess what? The job of the AD is to hire the right coach for the right situation, not to please the fan base. Iowa fans were irate when Kirk Ferentz was hired. Auburn fans wanted to torch the campus when Gene Chizik was hired. Tennesse just last year hired a guy, Derek Dooley, with a losing record (19-20) at Louisiana Tech. At this point ALL of those fan bases are happy with what those coaches have done. All I am saying is that Coach Kill deserves a chance and he has a proven track record of success.
I have no doubt in my mind on September 4, 2011 at the LA Coliseum the best head coach on the field will be on the Minnesota Gopher sidelines. You are going to see a hard-nosed and more importantly disciplined Minnesota Gopher football team. Save your angst for Maturi and give Jerry Kill a chance.
