Dave Mona, after a week hiatus, returned to the Sports Huddle with Sid Hartman. There were only two segments this week with coach Kill. So questions were limited and Dave asked only one question, which was from previous weeks (7 on 7 drills).
1) Sid asked Kill what his thoughts are of the proposed bowl game between the SEC and Big 12: Kill responded we've seen a lot of changes in college football, "and we're not done yet."
Sid followed up asking if he favored a championship playoff system: "I want it to stay in the bowl system! I don't think anyone wants to give up the bowl system and its tradition." He closed saying, "We'll know more in 2 or 3 months." He said he favored the bowls and plus one for a championship game.
2) Sid, once again (every week he asks the same question), asked if Beal, Gjere and Campion will be available this fall: Kill said, "We'll be good to go in the fall." He said Campion was cleared all spring . . . Gjere had not practiced at all this spring, except for specific drillls, and hasn't since the Michigan game when he suffered a concussion. They're awaiting a clearance report/release for Gjere. He also mentioned Keanon Cooper having been withheld from spring drills because of wrist surgery in the off season. Surgery went well and will be ready for fall camp and his senior season.
(Personal observation: In fairness to Sid and his asking the same question about Campion, Gjere, Beal, etc.: Not everyone listens to the Sports Huddle every week (listeners tuning in and out). As a result, some people may not be aware of the players physical conditions. That came to light on this board the past couple weeks, as well, when some GopherHolers asked about Gjere's health condition and what had happened to him (concussion).
3) Sid asked about Kill's one-on-one meetings with Gopher players following spring drills: Kill responded saying, "Met with players before spring ball . . . (players) filled out a five page information sheet . . . how do they best learn (team meetings, film, etc.)." After spring ball they meet individually with the players: position coaches and Kill. The players articulate individual goals, where they think they're at and fit in the system, how do you like Minnesota (school and state)? Kill and coaches try to determine the player's maturity and direction by their answers. "Meetings went well." He also said they were further ahead and did better than year ago (communication).
4) Sid, once again, asked Kill about his and the assistants' work schedule: Many of the coaches on the road recruiting, which is a seven day a week process, because many of the high school scrimmages and jamborees are conducted on Saturdays. Kill said he's been busy working on plans and schedules for fall camp.
Kill then spoke at length about his many meetings with the business community, "Critical to our success." He talked about the opportunities for internships in the businesses and careers after their playing days. "Helps sell our program in recruiting." He also mentioned many charitable events that he attends. He stressed the importance of being involved in the community, "Everybody in the state has a part to turn the program around."
5) Dave asked if all of the freshmen recruits will be in summer school: "They'll all be here on June 14; another transition on how to do things." A critical period to get the recruits acclimated to the college environment and help them get ready for fall camp. (Try to show what's expected and what they need to know about the system.) The first two weeks of fall camp is critical . . . goes a long way on who redshirts and who'll see the field in the fall.
2nd part of the two part question was related to 7 on 7 drills and who selects the participants in the off season: Kill said it's about older players teaching and leading the younger players. It was the same in the off season before spring drills and will be the same during the summer. That's an advantage of having a year under the belt . . . the players now know what's expected and what they need to do when the don't have contact with the coaches.
6) Sid asked what players will represent the U at the Chicago meetings in July: "I haven't talked about that." (Kill responded jokingly saying Sid would be talking about the kicking game.)
7) UNLV game: Kill talked about his longstanding relationship with Bobby Hauck . . . "He has a lot of the same philosophies that we have." The Rebels are multiple on offense and spread the field. They're very young and Kill said both teams are similar in personnel.
Sid followed up asking about the advantages of opening on Thursday night: Allows more preparation time for the second opponent and additional time to recover from the first game.
8) Dave asked about the Vikings playing at TCF Bank Stadium; "It's a win win for both of us . . . that's what community is about." (Helping one another.) He then talked about the positives of having a football weekend when the Vikings and Gophers are at home on the same weekends. He closed out the question by saying, "We need to help each other out."
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked Kill what his thoughts are of the proposed bowl game between the SEC and Big 12: Kill responded we've seen a lot of changes in college football, "and we're not done yet."
Sid followed up asking if he favored a championship playoff system: "I want it to stay in the bowl system! I don't think anyone wants to give up the bowl system and its tradition." He closed saying, "We'll know more in 2 or 3 months." He said he favored the bowls and plus one for a championship game.
2) Sid, once again (every week he asks the same question), asked if Beal, Gjere and Campion will be available this fall: Kill said, "We'll be good to go in the fall." He said Campion was cleared all spring . . . Gjere had not practiced at all this spring, except for specific drillls, and hasn't since the Michigan game when he suffered a concussion. They're awaiting a clearance report/release for Gjere. He also mentioned Keanon Cooper having been withheld from spring drills because of wrist surgery in the off season. Surgery went well and will be ready for fall camp and his senior season.
(Personal observation: In fairness to Sid and his asking the same question about Campion, Gjere, Beal, etc.: Not everyone listens to the Sports Huddle every week (listeners tuning in and out). As a result, some people may not be aware of the players physical conditions. That came to light on this board the past couple weeks, as well, when some GopherHolers asked about Gjere's health condition and what had happened to him (concussion).
3) Sid asked about Kill's one-on-one meetings with Gopher players following spring drills: Kill responded saying, "Met with players before spring ball . . . (players) filled out a five page information sheet . . . how do they best learn (team meetings, film, etc.)." After spring ball they meet individually with the players: position coaches and Kill. The players articulate individual goals, where they think they're at and fit in the system, how do you like Minnesota (school and state)? Kill and coaches try to determine the player's maturity and direction by their answers. "Meetings went well." He also said they were further ahead and did better than year ago (communication).
4) Sid, once again, asked Kill about his and the assistants' work schedule: Many of the coaches on the road recruiting, which is a seven day a week process, because many of the high school scrimmages and jamborees are conducted on Saturdays. Kill said he's been busy working on plans and schedules for fall camp.
Kill then spoke at length about his many meetings with the business community, "Critical to our success." He talked about the opportunities for internships in the businesses and careers after their playing days. "Helps sell our program in recruiting." He also mentioned many charitable events that he attends. He stressed the importance of being involved in the community, "Everybody in the state has a part to turn the program around."
5) Dave asked if all of the freshmen recruits will be in summer school: "They'll all be here on June 14; another transition on how to do things." A critical period to get the recruits acclimated to the college environment and help them get ready for fall camp. (Try to show what's expected and what they need to know about the system.) The first two weeks of fall camp is critical . . . goes a long way on who redshirts and who'll see the field in the fall.
2nd part of the two part question was related to 7 on 7 drills and who selects the participants in the off season: Kill said it's about older players teaching and leading the younger players. It was the same in the off season before spring drills and will be the same during the summer. That's an advantage of having a year under the belt . . . the players now know what's expected and what they need to do when the don't have contact with the coaches.
6) Sid asked what players will represent the U at the Chicago meetings in July: "I haven't talked about that." (Kill responded jokingly saying Sid would be talking about the kicking game.)
7) UNLV game: Kill talked about his longstanding relationship with Bobby Hauck . . . "He has a lot of the same philosophies that we have." The Rebels are multiple on offense and spread the field. They're very young and Kill said both teams are similar in personnel.
Sid followed up asking about the advantages of opening on Thursday night: Allows more preparation time for the second opponent and additional time to recover from the first game.
8) Dave asked about the Vikings playing at TCF Bank Stadium; "It's a win win for both of us . . . that's what community is about." (Helping one another.) He then talked about the positives of having a football weekend when the Vikings and Gophers are at home on the same weekends. He closed out the question by saying, "We need to help each other out."
Go Gophers!!
