Kill says he needs 4 recruiting classes to break Gophers' culture

[John Galt]

I'm pretty sure he's not saying that he needs 4 years to field a competitive team. He's stating that to completely undo the culture created under Brewster, it will take 4 years. To me, this culture involves working hard in the classroom, practicing hard on the field, being accountable, and expecting to win on Saturdays.

 

[scher215]

Year 1 of his 4 recruiting cycles is not off to a good start so far and has the potential to get worse. I would be pleasantly suprised if some of his current commits don't decommit as the team continues to lose and options open for them at better programs who don't get their A recruits and start offering or pursuing their plan B guys.

While not highly ranked, I do love Kill's class for two major reasons: Jonah Pirsig and Isaac Hayes. Sure they aren't 5-star recruits, but if Kill knows he has 4 years where he doesn't NEED to win, he doesn't need them to be Mr. Henderson. He can red shirt, develop, whatever he wants, deal with the losing for a few years, and then be set for results around year 3 or 4. It all starts with the OL and DL. Shore up those spots and everyone else on the team has a much easier and more successful life. Mason knew this, that's why he made bowl games with only 2 or 3 4-star recruits. That's why Wisconsin wins. the NFL is full of badger O-Lineman, as well as Iowa and formerly MN. If Kill gets us back to that idea, things will be just fine.

You solidify the O-Line, start winning games with 2 or 3 star skill players, then you start to get the 3 or 4 star skill players and you are in Rose bowl conversations, then you get the 4 or 5 star skill positions all while continuing strong success on the lines and you are looking at possible titles.

 

[Ole]

Year 1 of his 4 recruiting cycles is not off to a good start so far and has the potential to get worse. I would be pleasantly suprised if some of his current commits don't decommit as the team continues to lose and options open for them at better programs who don't get their A recruits and start offering or pursuing their plan B guys.

Dumb.

He's said again and again they're being up front with the recruits and prepared them for a rough season.

I personally like the current class, alot of potential and some good prospects in key positions. Good rep from the in state crew, and enough out state athleticism to develop and teach.
We're already seeing a small track record of good talent evaluation with Jones, Moulton, Cobb, Amaefula, etc.

 

[Trojan Princess]

Hang in there Gopher fans, I know it's hard, but give Coach Kill a chance to right the ship.

Wishing you nothing but good luck.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

This program has had academic problems for years.

Since the NCAA has released GSR we have consistantly ranked near the bottom of the conference. The poor academics was a Brewster thing, but it's been true since the Mason years and it's been true for the basketball team as well.

 

[Iceland12]

Nothing wrong with setting year 5 as the benchmark, most coaches deserve/need that.

Don't put words into his mouth, he's telling it how it is, no smoke, no internalization of the problems, you think he's ok with the losing?

It's obvious there were things going on here that have nothing to do with Kill, nothing to do with coaching. You think he's lying about everything to ease the pressure on him?

If there were 20 something kids failing out when he got here, and 63 now that STILL need checking to make sure they're in class, what does that say about their discipline and mindset going into practice and the games, they're probably overwhelmed with the fact that they have to go to class during the season, maybe that's the real reason we showed so well at USC, there was no class until the NMSU week.

Sure there is but why does the guy need to constantly tell us about it? Not lying, but the "woe is me" is being laid on a little thick Ole. He came in saying he's done it before, it's tough job but that he was a tough guy, it will take 2 to 3 years to get it turned around, but he could take the heat that he knows will be there After the loss to USC he and his coaches took responsibility for it. Now after four defeats its all the players fault and he's going need four years and 63 players aren't going to class? That doesn't sound like the guy prior to the NDSU loss.

The board? They love hearing how it's all the players fault. Even the Masonites constantly said why they hated Brewster and Maturi they still supported the players. Now it's we HATE the players too.

Shut-up and do the job.

 

[Former Goofer]

I can guarantee you that Dajon McKnight is one of the players that need constant checking up on.

 

[Ole]

It could all be internalized i suppose. It very well may be a way to get some of these players to either ship up or ship out. If he starts naming names I'd be surprised.

I think he knows which players want to buy in and which ones are shutting down/tuning out.

I'm reminded on Syracuse's rebuilding job in 09', that team was a mess too, their top WR quit/was released midseason, they played freshmen, they had like 3 kickers quit.

I think Kill knows very well what he's doing and it's all about challenging this team to find out who will quit and who will shape up. He is being very deliberate about things.

 

[GoAUpher]

Sure there is but why does the guy need to constantly tell us about it? Not lying, but the "woe is me" is being laid on a little thick Ole. He came in saying he's done it before, it's tough job but that he was a tough guy, it will take 2 to 3 years to get it turned around, but he could take the heat that he knows will be there After the loss to USC he and his coaches took responsibility for it. Now after four defeats its all the players fault and he's going need four years and 63 players aren't going to class? That doesn't sound like the guy prior to the NDSU loss.

The board? They love hearing how it's all the players fault. Even the Masonites constantly said why they hated Brewster and Maturi they still supported the players. Now it's we HATE the players too.

Shut-up and do the job.

You're in for a long couple years my friend. Because I don't think Kill is changing. However, should the Gophers start I winning I predict a sudden decrease in the amount of bitching you and others do about his straight shooting press conferences.

 

[GoAUpher]

I can guarantee you that Dajon McKnight is one of the players that need constant checking up on.

I can guarantee you are a jacka** in real life too.

 

[Kuato Lives!]

Sure there is but why does the guy need to constantly tell us about it? Not lying, but the "woe is me" is being laid on a little thick Ole. He came in saying he's done it before, it's tough job but that he was a tough guy, it will take 2 to 3 years to get it turned around, but he could take the heat that he knows will be there After the loss to USC he and his coaches took responsibility for it. Now after four defeats its all the players fault and he's going need four years and 63 players aren't going to class? That doesn't sound like the guy prior to the NDSU loss.

The board? They love hearing how it's all the players fault. Even the Masonites constantly said why they hated Brewster and Maturi they still supported the players. Now it's we HATE the players too.

Shut-up and do the job.

+32

It seems that with each demoralizing loss Kill blames more and more on the players and the previous administration. Each week there is a new excuse as to why the team and program is awful. If everything is so $hi++y why not come out from the start with all this instead of feeding us new excuses every week.

Shut up and coach is right.

 

[GoAUpher]

Each week there is a new excuse as to why the team and program is awful.

Actually, they're pretty much the same "excuse" only with minor additional details shared. So here's to Kill taking a vow of silence until we win again.

 

[GopherGod]

Dumb.

He's said again and again they're being up front with the recruits and prepared them for a rough season.
I personally like the current class, alot of potential and some good prospects in key positions. Good rep from the in state crew, and enough out state athleticism to develop and teach.
We're already seeing a small track record of good talent evaluation with Jones, Moulton, Cobb, Amaefula, etc.

He can be up front with the recruits. It still doesn't mean that as the gophers continue to lose and other winning programs come in and offer them the ability to compete for championships and play in bowl games that some of them aren't going to reconsider, especially the out of state players. When I hear Kill say things like needing at least 4 recruiting cycles publicly, that is essentially telling your next few classes of recruits that there is slim to no possibility for them in their college careers to play for anything of significance. This is likely true, but you don't need to point it out to a kid you are trying to recruit that has stars in his eyes.

 

[scher215]

nm

 

[Off-GridTNgopher]

iceland12,

from day 1 kill has been open and honest about what he expects from his players and coaching staff, he also has said he will tell it how it is... and thats exactly what he is doing. he is keeping the fans in the loop with what it is he is dealing with as well as what itis he is doing to rectify the situation. not a single person here could say they expected 65 kids with academic issues. just because you may not want to hear that or feel it comes off as passing the buck, it is what it is! this is what coach is dealing with... a problem that obviously was kept under wraps and now is just startng to see the light... so... now that the problem is out in the open... lets deal with it... dont pass blame... it doesnt matter when or where it started... its a issue and as a community lets deal with it... and rectify it
i applaude coach for airing these issues and at least keeping it real.. it beats punky spewin garbage outa his mouth..

 

[Dr.Don]

Anyone else see the irony in that sentence?

Oh yes, I did. SPC used "there" instead of "their". Oh the people who pretend to be so smart-assed are simply strong like bull, smart like tractor.

 

[calminnfan]

Nothing wrong with setting year 5 as the benchmark, most coaches deserve/need that.

Don't put words into his mouth, he's telling it how it is, no smoke, no internalization of the problems, you think he's ok with the losing?

It's obvious there were things going on here that have nothing to do with Kill, nothing to do with coaching. You think he's lying about everything to ease the pressure on him?

If there were 20 something kids failing out when he got here, and 63 now that STILL need checking to make sure they're in class, what does that say about their discipline and mindset going into practice and the games, they're probably overwhelmed with the fact that they have to go to class during the season, maybe that's the real reason we showed so well at USC, there was no class until the NMSU week.

Interesting observation...possibly true

Otherwise I agree with the don't put words in his mouth. I would think around the third year there will be a lot of improvement.

Someone else's comment about going straight to Kahler is interesting as well.

 

[station19]

Actually, they're pretty much the same "excuse" only with minor additional details shared. So here's to Kill taking a vow of silence until we win again.

There's no one on Gopher Hole than can go that long and be silent.

 

[John Galt]

+32

It seems that with each demoralizing loss Kill blames more and more on the players and the previous administration. Each week there is a new excuse as to why the team and program is awful. If everything is so $hi++y why not come out from the start with all this instead of feeding us new excuses every week.

Shut up and coach is right.

Have you been gone for the last 9 months? You can say what you want about his approach, but he's pretty much predicted everything that has happened from day 1.

 

[Iceland12]

You're in for a long couple years my friend. Because I don't think Kill is changing. However, should the Gophers start I winning I predict a sudden decrease in the amount of bitching you and others do about his straight shooting press conferences.

That's not the problem GoAUpher. His press conference last week was great and people whined that he didn't rip his players enough. To believe this latest outburst you'd have to believe he was either the most naive guy in college football when he took the job or his "straight shooting" ended when things got real bad.

Me, I think he looked at his e-mails and peoples reaction to his last press conference and realized that ripping the players that he didn't recruit would go over not just well but "big time". Judging from the reactions here he was right.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

I'm not worried about recruiting. That will take care of itself.

Kill and staff will get the current roster playing disciplined football and executing the offense by next year more than likely. Disciplined football and solid execution with the current guys on the roster will bring moderate success; that success will lead to better recruiting; better recruiting will lead to a higher level of success, etc.

Discipline and better execution will make up for a lot of any current deficiencies in athletic ability and talent, which I really think we'll start to see next fall. Two full offseasons with the staff, a weeding out of a few players, a better understanding of expectations, another year for the younger players to develop physically, etc is all I expect to see some real results on the field (scoreboard results notwithstanding).

Recruiting will take care of itself over time. If they find a handful (6-8) of "diamonds in the rough" during these initial lean years, they'll be well on their way. It looks like they were already somewhat successful at doing that with last year's crop; Moulton, M. Jones, Amaefula, Crawford-Tufts, Cockran, Shortell, Thompson, Wells (some committed before Kill, but all true FR).

By 2013, 5-7 players on the O-line will need to have stepped up significantly for everything to fall into place; 5-7 players among the current group of youngsters: Bjorklund, Bush, Campion, Epping, Ferguson, Gjere, Legania, the McAvoys, and the Olsons.

 

[Winnipegopher]

Hmm, players and class might be a new thing. I absolutely loved that Gopher sports put out a detailed week in the life of Asad Abdul Khaliq that had him not attending a single class or doing anything school related. The fact that they missed this fact (with the exception of noting he had a light classload) in a publicity piece shows how little academics mattered to the Athletic department. Maybe it has changed.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103003aaa.html

 

[Kuato Lives!]

He did...

We were told when he was hired and prior to the season that there were academic issues. I get that and do not doubt it. It just reeks of deflection when after each demoralizing loss we are fed more and more alarmingly bad academic news that gets worse every week.

And for the record I am not anti-kill or anything; I can only tolerate so many excuses.

 

[supadupafly]

I have a few friends that go to class with some of these guys and they said some of these guys are the most unintelligent people they have ever met. I will not name names, but they said they dont not deserve to go to the U according to there academic abilities.

1.) don't
2.) you do not need the word "not" after "don't"
3.) "based upon" would be a more appropriate phrasing here. instead of "according to".
4.) it is "their". not "there".

but, yeah buddy. you on the other hand certainly deserve to be there based upon your amazing grasp and execution of the english language. just saying. it probably is not wise to take such a lame cheap shot at another's academic prowess, and then proceed to do what you just did in two short and easy sentences. just saying.

 

[dbush]

You do know that some recruits want to play sooner rather than later, actually like the coaching staff, want to play in a NEW stadium in a big city, and who actually want to be apart of a rebuilding process.

Recruits can see from this year that there is an oppurtunity to play at the highest level of college football competition right away. That in itself can be very appealing rather than riding the pine until their 3rd, 4th, or 5th years.

 

[MaxyJR1]

When I hear Kill say things like needing at least 4 recruiting cycles publicly, that is essentially telling your next few classes of recruits that there is slim to no possibility for them in their college careers to play for anything of significance. This is likely true, but you don't need to point it out to a kid you are trying to recruit that has stars in his eyes.

He wants kids that are like him and here for the same reasons. To build a program his way. Why would he lie to a recruit? That isn't being "accountable".

 

[Kuato Lives!]

You do know that some recruits want to play sooner rather than later, actually like the coaching staff, want to play in a NEW stadium in a big city, and who actually want to be apart of a rebuilding process.

Recruits can see from this year that there is an oppurtunity to play at the highest level of college football competition right away. That in itself can be very appealing rather than riding the pine until their 3rd, 4th, or 5th years.

I wonder how many recruits are going to give Kill a big F U when he tells them he's burning their redshirt?

 

[GopherGod]

He wants kids that are like him and here for the same reasons. To build a program his way. Why would he lie to a recruit? That isn't being "accountable".

I didn't say anything about advocating lying, highlighting the positives and not focusing on or showcasing the negatives is all. I would also imagine he wants kids also that can help his team win. When you come out and essentially say, sign with us and you will play but likely for nothing of significance in your college career, not many players that have options and are good enough to help you win consistently are going to jump at that opportunity. Most coaches don't like to air the programs dirty laundry in the press, doesn't seem to be the case here.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Hmm, players and class might be a new thing. I absolutely loved that Gopher sports put out a detailed week in the life of Asad Abdul Khaliq that had him not attending a single class or doing anything school related. The fact that they missed this fact (with the exception of noting he had a light classload) in a publicity piece shows how little academics mattered to the Athletic department. Maybe it has changed.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103003aaa.html

Maybe the academic environment around the program has hurt recruiting. Most seem to think that kids want the easy way out. That is not the case. Why have kids left this state for Stanford, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, etc. on field is part of it. Academics may be bigger then most think.

What Kill is doing is a good thing.

 

[supadupafly]

Maybe the academic environment around the program has hurt recruiting. Most seem to think that kids want the easy way out. That is not the case. Why have kids left this state for Stanford, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, etc. on field is part of it. Academics may be bigger then most think.

What Kill is doing is a good thing.

ummmmm........wisconsin should absolutely not be included in a list of academic institutions like stanford, northwestern or even notre dame for that matter. you reached quite a bit including them here.