Sid Hartman: U did right thing

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BleedGopher

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per Sid:

U did right thing

University of Minnesota officials have taken heat for paying their football coaches bonuses for a 5-7 team making the Quick Lane Bowl, especially after Nebraska had the same record and decided not to pay bowl bonuses to its coaches.

One thing to remember is that when Jerry Kill retired, the contracts for his assistant coaches automatically voided. The two coordinators at the time, Tracy Claeys and Matt Limegrover, had contracts that ran through June 30, 2017, and the other seven assistants were under deals that ran through June 30, 2016.

After Kill retired, the university gave the assistants temporary deals, covering them only through next month (Jan. 31). Limegrover and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski were fired, and all the assistants had an uncertain future for a while.

So the university did the right thing, honoring the incentive language in the contracts and paying each assistant the equivalent of one month’s salary as a bonus for reaching a bowl.

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-bears-want-a-taste-of-the-playoffs/362888791/

Go Gophers!!
 


Given the U's stellar 50-year decision making record as it relates to football, I can see how Sid would jump to that conclusion.

I'm still confused about one thing. Claeys, a salaried employee, said coaches deserve the extra pay because they have to coach an extra month which begs the question as to why he has to share his bonus with Kill?
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
I'm still confused about one thing. Claeys, a salaried employee, said coaches deserve the extra pay because they have to coach an extra month which begs the question as to why he has to share his bonus with Kill?
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I've been up all night trying to find the answers
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
Given the U's stellar 50-year decision making record as it relates to football, I can see how Sid would jump to that conclusion.

I'm still confused about one thing. Claeys, a salaried employee, said coaches deserve the extra pay because they have to coach an extra month which begs the question as to why he has to share his bonus with Kill?
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How many times are you going to ask that question? The bonus was for making the bowl, not for playing in it or winning it. This isn't complicated. What agenda are you trying to push by bringing it up ad nauseam?
 


MNGoldenGophers1 said:
Given the U's stellar 50-year decision making record as it relates to football, I can see how Sid would jump to that conclusion.

I'm still confused about one thing. Claeys, a salaried employee, said coaches deserve the extra pay because they have to coach an extra month which begs the question as to why he has to share his bonus with Kill?
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I'm a salaried employee and get many bonuses throughout the year, what's your point? If your point is that Kill shouldn't get the bonus because he isn't coaching the extra month then you should try and fix that gaping hole in your chest, which is probably in the exact spot your heart used to be. Kill did just as much work if not more than Tracy this season.
 

This is not difficult.

Like Sid said, The U did the right thing.
 

dpodoll68 said:
How many times are you going to ask that question? The bonus was for making the bowl, not for playing in it or winning it. This isn't complicated. What agenda are you trying to push by bringing it up ad nauseam?
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I think I've asked this question twice so more than once makes it ad nauseam, good to know. I thought the bonus was for making bowl too but that is not my understanding what Claeys said. Claeys said the bonus was for having to coach an extra month. I don't think Kill will be coaching but I've been wrong before.
 

Never before has such a relatively small amount of money been the source of so much discussion.
 



'13Gopher said:
I'm a salaried employee and get many bonuses throughout the year, what's your point? If your point is that Kill shouldn't get the bonus because he isn't coaching the extra month then you should try and fix that gaping hole in your chest, which is probably in the exact spot your heart used to be. Kill did just as much work if not more than Tracy this season.
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I'm guessing Kill did a hell of lot more than TC. Not my point.

Yup, a lot of people get bonuses. Usually a bonus is given for doing something well like contributing positively to a profitable company. Conversely, someone who played a major roll in a company that lost money probably wouldn't see a bonus and perhaps worse.
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
I'm guessing Kill did a hell of lot more than TC. Not my point.

Yup, a lot of people get bonuses. Usually a bonus is given for doing something well like contributing positively to a profitable company. Conversely, someone who played a major roll in a company that lost money probably wouldn't see a bonus and perhaps worse.
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I guess my next question is, was going 5-7 and being extremely competitive against TCU, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State really a major disappointment? All while losing our beloved head coach in the middle of the season. Was this such a disappointing year that you can't even fathom how this team deserves to go to a bowl game?

Bottom line is that the bowl games are set for this year, so there needs to be 2 teams competing against one another in each game. It so happens that 5-7 teams needed to fill some games. We earned that spot. Regardless of how we earned it, can you really not live with the fact that we did earn the bowl bid? And since we earned the bowl bid, can our coaches not get the benefits of reaching the bowl?
 

'13Gopher said:
I guess my next question is, was going 5-7 and being extremely competitive against TCU, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State really a major disappointment?
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This point is where, I think, you have gopher diehards on one end and MN traditional sports media on the other. I guess I find myself in the middle. I think the season was a disappointment given the expectations, but not a major disappointment.

And the season CERTAINLY was not the shameful embarrassment the MN sports media insists it was.
 




'13Gopher said:
I guess my next question is, was going 5-7 and being extremely competitive against TCU, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State really a major disappointment? All while losing our beloved head coach in the middle of the season. Was this such a disappointing year that you can't even fathom how this team deserves to go to a bowl game?

Bottom line is that the bowl games are set for this year, so there needs to be 2 teams competing against one another in each game. It so happens that 5-7 teams needed to fill some games. We earned that spot. Regardless of how we earned it, can you really not live with the fact that we did earn the bowl bid? And since we earned the bowl bid, can our coaches not get the benefits of reaching the bowl?
Click to expand...

I've always hoped there would come a day when someone on GH would replace me as the most dimwitted and it looks like that day has finally arrived.

Let's start with that season record you apparently are so proud of. Was going 5-7 when they could have just as easily been 2-10 by narrowly escaping those national powerhouse programs CSU, KS, and O-hi-o really a major accomplishment? Bottom line, good teams find ways to win. Go and re-watch the last minute of the Michigan game if you're having trouble with this one.

Yes, losing our head coach was most unfortunate but is this really justification for sending a losing team to a bowl game? Let's explore this a bit further. Is this situation anymore tragic than say losing a head coach or player to cancer or some other unfortunate similar circumstance? Shouldn't these other schools that faced such adversity be awarded a bowl game too? Why is it just the U that is getting this privilege?

You do make a logical point in that it requires at least two teams to play in a bowl game. I'll concede that one. The we earned that spot is where you get on a slippery slope. I know the very small but very determined Pollyanna GH's like yourself will rationalize just about anything to justify your position (re-read what you said about our record/close games and our unfortunate situation relating to Coach Kill). The vast majority of people who pay any attention at all to Gopher football, think this team and the bowl they are playing in is a joke. In case you're wondering who all these people are who see it differently than you a couple dozen others like you, they're the ones in the empty seats at TCF.

Since you and dope-opoulos aren't getting my not so subtle inquiry, I'll try and state it more clearly. The coach's contracts call for a bonus if they get selected (not earn) to play in a bowl game. I think that much we agree on. However, TC said they are getting the bonus because of the extra practices and game. This is TC's justification for cashing his bonus for this bowl game you think is so righteous and deserving. If this is really TC's justification for participating in what the rest of the world thinks is a sham, why is he sharing his OT check with Kill? I'm just curious is all.

I frankly don't care if they get a bonus. I don't care how they share the bonus. I realize it is being paid out as part of a contract. But in case you're not getting my drift, I'm amused how TC is spinning his justification for receiving it as I have noted above.

From now on, you can refer to me as #2. Thank you.
 

The Gophers had a disappointing season. Due to circumstances the Gophers made a bowl game. Bowl bonuses should be paid (though I don't fault Nebraska for saying they aren't paying). Pretty simple.
 


MNBadgerGuy said:
The Gophers had a disappointing season. Due to circumstances the Gophers made a bowl game. Bowl bonuses should be paid (though I don't fault Nebraska for saying they aren't paying). Pretty simple.
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And then there is the admirable thing one can do.
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
I've always hoped there would come a day when someone on GH would replace me as the most dimwitted and it looks like that day has finally arrived.

Let's start with that season record you apparently are so proud of. Was going 5-7 when they could have just as easily been 2-10 by narrowly escaping those national powerhouse programs CSU, KS, and O-hi-o really a major accomplishment? Bottom line, good teams find ways to win. Go and re-watch the last minute of the Michigan game if you're having trouble with this one.

Yes, losing our head coach was most unfortunate but is this really justification for sending a losing team to a bowl game? Let's explore this a bit further. Is this situation anymore tragic than say losing a head coach or player to cancer or some other unfortunate similar circumstance? Shouldn't these other schools that faced such adversity be awarded a bowl game too? Why is it just the U that is getting this privilege?

You do make a logical point in that it requires at least two teams to play in a bowl game. I'll concede that one. The we earned that spot is where you get on a slippery slope. I know the very small but very determined Pollyanna GH's like yourself will rationalize just about anything to justify your position (re-read what you said about our record/close games and our unfortunate situation relating to Coach Kill). The vast majority of people who pay any attention at all to Gopher football, think this team and the bowl they are playing in is a joke. In case you're wondering who all these people are who see it differently than you a couple dozen others like you, they're the ones in the empty seats at TCF.

Since you and dope-opoulos aren't getting my not so subtle inquiry, I'll try and state it more clearly. The coach's contracts call for a bonus if they get selected (not earn) to play in a bowl game. I think that much we agree on. However, TC said they are getting the bonus because of the extra practices and game. This is TC's justification for cashing his bonus for this bowl game you think is so righteous and deserving. If this is really TC's justification for participating in what the rest of the world thinks is a sham, why is he sharing his OT check with Kill? I'm just curious is all.

I frankly don't care if they get a bonus. I don't care how they share the bonus. I realize it is being paid out as part of a contract. But in case you're not getting my drift, I'm amused how TC is spinning his justification for receiving it as I have noted above.

From now on, you can refer to me as #2. Thank you.
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Get over it. The Gophers earned their spot and deserve to appear in the bowl game. Period. The coaches earned their bonuses and deserve every last red cent due them. Period.
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
Let's start with that season record you apparently are so proud of.
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Do not put words in my mouth just to get yourself off. I am in no way "proud" of a 5-7 record. I am proud of the way they played in most games this year, but not proud of the record. I am proud of the way Jerry and this staff has increased academic standards for the athletes. You need to get over yourself and start complaining to the NCAA/whatever committee creates these bowls. Suggest to them that in no way should these lowlife, scumbag kids who worked their tails off all year be allowed to go to a bowl game that they EARNED. Guess what, you are very wrong about that one. They did EARN this bowl game. Whether or not a 5-7 team should be in one is beside the point. They were not hand selected to go or chosen at random, they are going because they EARNed it. To you, earning it means they have a winning record but that isn't how it panned out this year, is it? Boo hoo, go cry about it to mommy.

You don't think they should be in this bowl and you don't think the coaches deserve a bonus. Good for you. Instead of watching our team on Monday you can cry about it.

I am not justifying that 5-7 teams should go to a bowl. I am justifying why we earned it and why someone could reasonably gather an ounce of pride in us playing the game. You can't muster up any pride in this year's team. Good for you. We're going to a bowl. Get over it.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Get over it. The Gophers earned their spot and deserve to appear in the bowl game. Period. The coaches earned their bonuses and deserve every last red cent due them. Period.
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There are years that I've worked my butt off and not gotten a bonus & there are years where I didn't put quite as much effort in, but the results resulted in a payout.

In all my years of finance, I have never turned down a bonus. I'll bet if we were to poll GHers, not one single person would turn down a bonus given by their employer.

On a side note: I know some of our friendly posters would take the bonus and then turn around a whine that they should have gotten more.
 


'13Gopher said:
Do not put words in my mouth just to get yourself off. I am in no way "proud" of a 5-7 record. I am proud of the way they played in most games this year, but not proud of the record. I am proud of the way Jerry and this staff has increased academic standards for the athletes. You need to get over yourself and start complaining to the NCAA/whatever committee creates these bowls. Suggest to them that in no way should these lowlife, scumbag kids who worked their tails off all year be allowed to go to a bowl game that they EARNED. Guess what, you are very wrong about that one. They did EARN this bowl game. Whether or not a 5-7 team should be in one is beside the point. They were not hand selected to go or chosen at random, they are going because they EARNed it. To you, earning it means they have a winning record but that isn't how it panned out this year, is it? Boo hoo, go cry about it to mommy.

You don't think they should be in this bowl and you don't think the coaches deserve a bonus. Good for you. Instead of watching our team on Monday you can cry about it.

I am not justifying that 5-7 teams should go to a bowl. I am justifying why we earned it and why someone could reasonably gather an ounce of pride in us playing the game. You can't muster up any pride in this year's team. Good for you. We're going to a bowl. Get over it.
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Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Sincerely,

#2
 






It all comes down to expectations. If you expected a 2-win season, and the team wins 5 games, then they exceeded expectations. If you expected an 8-win season, and the team wins 5 games, they did not live up to expectations.

If I expect to get a Porsche for Christmas, I suspect my gift will not live up to expectations. If I expect to get a lump of coal, I suspect my gift will surpass my expectations.

BUT - the question is - who is setting those expectations? AND - are they reasonable expectations?

I maintain that some - not all - but some of the people on this board had unreasonable expectations for the Gophers, and they seem to be some of the most outraged/frustrated with the bowl game situation. It's like they are so disappointed, they don't want anyone else to be happy.
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
The vast majority of people who pay any attention at all to Gopher football, think this team and the bowl they are playing in is a joke. In case you're wondering who all these people are who see it differently than you a couple dozen others like you, they're the ones in the empty seats at TCF.
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#1,

It seems, given all of the responses received since your idiotic post, that you pulled this information out of your behind as expected. This bowl game might be what you are referring to as "a joke". However, this team is far from a joke. This team played very well given the circumstances and schedule but came up short in 7 games, which happens. They were certainly no joke in the classroom which most fans (besides you) respect the heck out of. These kids not only gave it their all on the field but they gave it their all in the classroom. Their efforts EARNED them a bowl game. Again, get over it.

-#2
 

'13Gopher said:
#1,

It seems, given all of the responses received since your idiotic post, that you pulled this information out of your behind as expected. This bowl game might be what you are referring to as "a joke". However, this team is far from a joke. This team played very well given the circumstances and schedule but came up short in 7 games, which happens. They were certainly no joke in the classroom which most fans (besides you) respect the heck out of. These kids not only gave it their all on the field but they gave it their all in the classroom. Their efforts EARNED them a bowl game. Again, get over it.

-#2
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Like repeating over and over while using all CAPS makes it so. Nice try #1.
 

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