What's your bottom line?

[Gopher Warrior]

Did you notice in Jerry's first press conference after this season's first seizure that when pressed to elaborate on the health issue, he told the reporter he would be happy to talk to them one-on-one after?

I sure did. Mr. Open doesn’t like to speak about it. That’s fine and I completely respect that. However, the narrative is that he’s very open and forthright and that is just not true.

Do you know something? A different number?

Yes, Claeys is saying Kill has missed no more than 5 practices combined over the last 9 years. There are well documented instances of him being admitted and stuck in a hospital for far more than 5 days during the season when looking at the past 9 or so years. What Claeys said is complete nonsense.

I believe no one knows for sure what the triggers are. If you know, please share so we can fix this.

I agree and that’s why I use words such as “likely”. Kill’s current doc has written and spoken much on epilepsy and of course repeatedly discusses reducing stress as important for patients.

Looking at Kill’s more public health scares, there sure seems to be something to the idea that stress on the job may be a trigger.

I can't seem to find the contradiction.

The University of Minnesota told the public that Kill checked himself into Mayo. Kill then said it wasn’t true. That’s the contradiction.

(PS – perhaps the Gophers just skipped practicing that week while he was at the Mayo 24/7. Good follow up question for Claeys.)

But, until they do, Jerry and his staff are getting this thing built...the right way.

This is getting off topic, but I think “the right way” talk is dangerous. When you have a lack of WR’s and then look at the stories around the Barker’s, McDonald’s, Harbison’s, etc… is that what you mean by the right way?

I think some are confused as to what the APR measures. Yes, a 994 is incredible. And Kill’s program (made up of many Brewster kids) in his very first year on campus scored a 994. His score in year 2 isn’t as good (although you all won’t see that for a long time).

Doing things “the right way” is important, but it gets overplayed and often without much evidence.

But, don't try to do somebody else's job...like decide what's best for Jerry personally.

Some folks are very stubborn and they won’t prioritize their own health. When the Mayo clinic and doctors elsewhere tell Kill to do one thing and he does another, I’m concerned.

Maybe that’s impressive to some, but as someone who thinks coaching at the U is bad for Kill’s health, I can’t put the program ahead of the man.

I just wish those who want to discuss causes and symptoms of epilepsy would also provide us with their bona fides, if any…There is no blueprint for this disease or its control. Some of us are very stable with meds. Some experience periodic instability and have to start all over again trying to find a formula that works. Some never find complete control…

…it seems wise to not opine in an authoritative way about a complex medical condition unless there is reason to believe you know of what you speak.

“If you’re not a doctor then I don’t believe anything you say!” is a common cry among those who don’t want to deal with reality. Hopefully that’s not what you’re saying.

What bona fides do you require? How do you measure if someone “knows of what they speak”? There are dozens of doctors who have seen Kill over the years. Is it your belief that these folks are the only ones with any answers? Unfortunately they haven’t been able to find ones that work for Jerry Kill (although part of that may be due to noncompliance as a patient).

You’re exactly right – there is no blueprint and there are countless questions. However, you’d be hard pressed to find a doctor that would say Kill’s job has no net impact on his health and that stress levels are of no concern. Even an eighth grade dropout who has been around epilepsy or studied it a bit should know that.

My question from three years ago is haunting. Can the coach manage the disease well and not have it affect the team and school? I got crucified for asking it three years ago, please don't make this about me, like back then.

People don't like to be honest with reality when it's uncomfortable. You were right to question it three years ago. My approach was perhaps a bit more abrasive in that I opined that Kill's health issues were far more significant than people knew (including the U) and that the combination of his health and the team's performance would see him gone in relatively short order. It's just being honest about the situation. Some can see it, some are starting to see it and some won't ever see it.

Sad situation but the path taken so far isn't particularly helpful for anyone involved. I'd be all for keeping Kill on as a special adviser to the football team / University 'ambassador' so he can still earn good money (like Maturi continues to quietly do) and be around the game he loves, just without a lot of the stress and daily demands.

Kill isn't a bad guy and he isn't doing anything wrong. He is just a tough son of a gun and perhaps too stubborn for his own good sometimes.

 

[Iceland12]

"COACHES don't like to be honest with reality when it's uncomfortable"

All Coaches lie, that's what they do. They bend the truth, ignore it or outright lie. Whether it's telling a kid he wants for depth that he's gonna "start in year one", to way overplaying the talent of the team they are about to face. From downplaying serious issues to straight-out, bald or bold faced lies, they all do it. Some do it way more that others, some are better at it, but they all do it.

We make peace with it by saying "Well he had to say that didn't he?" Or worse yet, if what they are saying doesn't fall in line with our opinions we are CONVINCED they are lying. Tell us what we want to hear and of course he's telling the truth.

It's always a little troubling but it only becomes worrisome when people rush to defend and re-write history trying to prove that the lies aren't really lies, because, you know, we don't want them to be lies.

 

[tinyarch]

A.J....how ya doin'! Still smokin the ganja I see. Ya know...ya really gotta let the bitterness toward Coach Kill go.

I sure did. Mr. Open doesn’t like to speak about it. That’s fine and I completely respect that. However, the narrative is that he’s very open and forthright and that is just not true.



Yes, Claeys is saying Kill has missed no more than 5 practices combined over the last 9 years. There are well documented instances of him being admitted and stuck in a hospital for far more than 5 days during the season when looking at the past 9 or so years. What Claeys said is complete nonsense.



I agree and that’s why I use words such as “likely”. Kill’s current doc has written and spoken much on epilepsy and of course repeatedly discusses reducing stress as important for patients.

Looking at Kill’s more public health scares, there sure seems to be something to the idea that stress on the job may be a trigger.



The University of Minnesota told the public that Kill checked himself into Mayo. Kill then said it wasn’t true. That’s the contradiction.

(PS – perhaps the Gophers just skipped practicing that week while he was at the Mayo 24/7. Good follow up question for Claeys.)



This is getting off topic, but I think “the right way” talk is dangerous. When you have a lack of WR’s and then look at the stories around the Barker’s, McDonald’s, Harbison’s, etc… is that what you mean by the right way?

I think some are confused as to what the APR measures. Yes, a 994 is incredible. And Kill’s program (made up of many Brewster kids) in his very first year on campus scored a 994. His score in year 2 isn’t as good (although you all won’t see that for a long time).

Doing things “the right way” is important, but it gets overplayed and often without much evidence.



Some folks are very stubborn and they won’t prioritize their own health. When the Mayo clinic and doctors elsewhere tell Kill to do one thing and he does another, I’m concerned.

Maybe that’s impressive to some, but as someone who thinks coaching at the U is bad for Kill’s health, I can’t put the program ahead of the man.


“If you’re not a doctor then I don’t believe anything you say!” is a common cry among those who don’t want to deal with reality. Hopefully that’s not what you’re saying.

What bona fides do you require? How do you measure if someone “knows of what they speak”? There are dozens of doctors who have seen Kill over the years. Is it your belief that these folks are the only ones with any answers? Unfortunately they haven’t been able to find ones that work for Jerry Kill (although part of that may be due to noncompliance as a patient).

You’re exactly right – there is no blueprint and there are countless questions. However, you’d be hard pressed to find a doctor that would say Kill’s job has no net impact on his health and that stress levels are of no concern. Even an eighth grade dropout who has been around epilepsy or studied it a bit should know that.



People don't like to be honest with reality when it's uncomfortable. You were right to question it three years ago. My approach was perhaps a bit more abrasive in that I opined that Kill's health issues were far more significant than people knew (including the U) and that the combination of his health and the team's performance would see him gone in relatively short order. It's just being honest about the situation. Some can see it, some are starting to see it and some won't ever see it.

Sad situation but the path taken so far isn't particularly helpful for anyone involved. I'd be all for keeping Kill on as a special adviser to the football team / University 'ambassador' so he can still earn good money (like Maturi continues to quietly do) and be around the game he loves, just without a lot of the stress and daily demands.

Kill isn't a bad guy and he isn't doing anything wrong. He is just a tough son of a gun and perhaps too stubborn for his own good sometimes.

 

[dpodoll68]

Just a little bit of honesty and openness would be nice.

Says the guy who claims to be a Gopher fan.

 

[Indi1006]

Sometimes in sports players make plays and sometimes the other guy makes plays. Who wins often comes down to a bounce. Sometimes a coach calls a play he wishes he had back. I think Jerry and his staff put players in the position to make plays and win, and have them prepared. I've read so much complaining about play-calling and it's laughable. I've seen many plays this year, especially the last two weeks, that could have changed momentum, that just weren't executed properly. But, they're getting there. This thing is a lot closer to turning the corner than people realize.

You have no credibility and have on some thick rose colored glasses.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Kill gets 5 years to get the program to a winning record that impresses.
He gets it unless he decides to walk away.
If he walks away, he does it on his terms not the fans' or media's.
We should all be praying he stays, builds, and wins.
More turnover and turmoil in this program isn't good for anything and would be much more damaging IMO than Kill fighting through his seizures and staying.

I'm with Ole on this last point. I think it is easy to get worked up with the 0-2 start in conference play, but I think everyone would agree the program is in better shape this year than last, and last year was ahead of the previous year. I will continue to support the team and enjoy the games.

 

[Indi1006]

I'm with Ole on this last point. I think it is easy to get worked up with the 0-2 start in conference play, but I think everyone would agree the program is in better shape this year than last, and last year was ahead of the previous year. I will continue to support the team and enjoy the games.

Did you really enjoy the last two games??

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Did you really enjoy the last two games??

No, the Iowa game was terrible and the Michigan game was disappointing for different reasons. It is still not time to panic.

 

[Iceland12]

No, the Iowa game was terrible and the Michigan game was disappointing for different reasons. It is still not time to panic.

This, no kidding, this.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

Says the guy who claims to be a Gopher fan.

Gopher fan or not, "just a little bit of honesty and openness would be nice". Latest national news article on Kill reminds all of just how open he is.

Prior to the season, he told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune he had never felt healthier, but he refused to answer a direct question about how many seizures he had experienced during the offseason.

Even the biggest Gopher fans should be able to see that there are issues with Kill as the head coach.

Time to make a change. If it helps you, project to the 2015 season and that brutal schedule. Then consider 2014 recruiting. Those will be the redshirt freshman hitting the field in 2015. There is no upward trend. Let's stop worrying so much about football and help this man live a healthier life.

 

[Bad Gopher]

GW's point about putting the man's health above all else is well taken. That's my primary concern in this whole matter. I don't want to be killing the guy. Furthermore, if stress is indeed a trigger, I don't know how a person deals with this effectively. It's inherently a high stress job.

Health concerns aside, we have to be patient and let this wins/losses thing play out, which it will eventually. Changing coaches every three years is not the answer. I've said that you have to be willing to kiss a few frogs along the way, but there really is a limit to how many frogs a person should kiss and how often.

 

[dpodoll68]

Gopher fan or not, "just a little bit of honesty and openness would be nice".

Why do you hold him to those standards when you don't do the same for yourself?

Let's stop worrying so much about football and help this man live a healthier life.

I wouldn't care about Jerry Kill if he weren't the Gophers coach. I don't want him to die on the field, but it's not my choice to make, nor is it yours. Spare us the sanctimony.

P.S. It's easy for you to not "worry so much about [Gopher] football" since you don't care about Gopher sports regardless of who's coaching the football team.

 

[Ole]

Did you really enjoy the last two games??

Get over it.

We dropped a winnable game at homecoming off a 4-0 start. It sucks.

Anyone expecting us to waltz into the big house and do something that's been done 3 times in 50 years was fooling themselves.
Nobody should have expected anything better than 1-1, and we went 0-2. We're 4-2.
It sucks, it's not the end of the season.

 

[scools12]

I firmly believe they are on the right path. They are on pace with where I would have expected them to be at this point, and with the status of the roster right now.

I'll be interested to see the spin of those that share the opinion "the program is on pace" if in year 3 the season ends up with an 0-8 conference record.

Also find it interesting the talk from Kill suppoters has turned from Ws and Ls to other things such as graduation rates and relationships with in-state high school as the measure of success in year 3 since it appears the W-L record will not be what they hoped.

 

[MNVCGUY]

It seems like there are a few key questions that everyone needs to answer in regards to Kill.

1)Does the improvement in NC games from year 1-3 count?
I say yes, it was not a tough schedule and we won going away in all 4 games. This is something that haunted the previous regime, and needs to become a given if the program is ever going to make a bigger time bowl game.

2)Does Kill's track record in lower divisions and FBS count?
I say yes, everywhere he went he was able to eventually win, with equal talent to whatever levels he was competing in, or he was able to accumulate better talent through whatever mean necessary to give himself a team that can win.
I think this one is taking longer at the B1G level than we'd like, but it's hard to say there's not more talent or the players this year aren't better coached than in 2010 when Kill got here(penalties, special teams, tackling, off field issues, academics, etc)

3)Has Kill proven himself a good recruiter here?
I say yes, I'm dumbfounded by people who just look at rankings and stars for their opinion on this.
There are plenty of guys playing really well that Kill and his staff found that were blatantly overlooked or unranked. The rankings don't matter if the talent never develops.

4)Does Kill's epilepsy matter if he wins?
No, and it might even help honestly if you have a winning coach with an inspirational story. The rub of course, with all this is he has to win first.

Bottom line from the OP:
Kill has to win, like any coach does to keep his job.

He still should have time to do it his way, and to get his recruits integrated into his program.

He got an extension right off the top, because he convinced Kaler he'd need another year for this(5 instead of 4, you need to extend him with 2 years left, so 7 total)

His seizures are another obstacle that he and his staff need to overcome, or in essence gameplan for. But that's on him and his staff, again it comes down to wins and losses like any football coach.

You need to look big picture on this stuff and be patient. Today nobody wants to wait, nobody wants to think outside of their worldview.

Kill gets 5 years to get the program to a winning record that impresses.
He gets it unless he decides to walk away.
If he walks away, he does it on his terms not the fans' or media's.
We should all be praying he stays, builds, and wins.
More turnover and turmoil in this program isn't good for anything and would be much more damaging IMO than Kill fighting through his seizures and staying.

1 - Winning the non-conf games we are supposed to win definitely counts and for the last 2 years we have done that. The staff deserves credit but winning these games should not also be seen as a major accomplishment.

2 - You certainly can't dismiss Kill's track record at lower level schools but I also don't see it as any sort of guarantee he can get it done under the bright lights of the Big Ten. This is a different animal than rebuilding a program in rural Illinois that is not under the same spotlight.

3 - Recruiting in my mind is TBD. There is more to it then stars and rankings but his first two full classes have been bottom of the conference and through 2 games this season we have not stacked up against our conference opponents for the full game talent wise. We have also not seen a lot of guys that look like elite players to this point, especially at the skill positions. Maxx Williams looks like he may be the real deal but outside of him I don't see a ton of guys on this roster to get really excited about as being future stars in the conference.

4 - Better question would be does his epilepsy matter? When you throw win into the equation then the answer is easy because yeah if we are winning and competing for the Big Ten or division title then sure no one is going to care about his condition. But we are a long way from that point right now.

I am with you on all you bottom points but would change the part about getting 5 years to getting 4. The caveat to that is that after year 4 I don't think it has to be an overly impressive record but 3 conference wins should be a minimum expectation.

 

[Ole]

I'll be interested to see the spin of those that share the opinion "the program is on pace" if in year 3 the season ends up with an 0-8 conference record.

Also fidn it interesting the talk from Kill suppoters has turned from Ws and Ls to other things such as graduation rates and relationships with in-state high school as the measure of success in year 3 since it appears the W-L record will not be what they hoped.

0-8 would be a tough pill to swallow. I don't expect that, likely the coaches and players don't either.
It's going to be about the W-L record, but you need to give the coaches' time.

Being impatient and panicking in year 3 does no good. Next year if we take a nose dive like Brewster did in 2010 and the program becomes diseased you talk about making a change, otherwise he gets 5 years. No improvement by then, make the move.

 

[Halsey Hall]

Like I said, just a little bit of honesty and openness. Especially when Kill gets credit from so many for being "open" when he's absolutely not. The guy wouldn't even say the word "epilepsy" and would call having a seizure, having "a situation".

He's been on TV recently talking about his seizures going back 8 years. Reality says 20+ years.

I'd like him to say nothing or tell the truth.

When Claeys this weekend says, "I can count on one hand the number of practices Coach Kill has missed", I wish he would tell the truth. That's complete nonsense.

Blaming seizures on heat or an adjustment to meds - could those be contributing factors? Perhaps. Let's be open and honest though - stress is likely a huge factor/trigger in the frequency of his seizures. Any suggestion of stress being a factor is quickly dismissed by Kill and the U. Ridiculous.

When Maturi said Kill checked himself into Mayo, Kill later said that's not true.

Teague says "it's really not a big deal" when talking about Kill's "situations" , but then Kill can't make the Senior Banquet... can't come to practice.. is hospitalized for days... that's not helpful. It is a big deal. Stop the B.S. It's serious. Seizures beget seizures.

Many people seem to think "supporting Jerry Kill" means he should be praised a head coach and his health shouldn't matter one bit.

But... some might say supporting Jerry Kill means removing him from the head coach position. Some might say keeping Kill on as head coach is being complicit in adversely affecting his health.

Let's put the man before the program. He may be literally erasing time off his life by working at the U. Sure, that's his choice.. but some would argue that truly supporting him is helping him exit as gracefully as possible so that he can concentrate on his health and just living life.

If you believe stress doesn't factor into his health issues at all, then we simply disagree.. I do think it's likely a big factor.

I think you make a very reasoned argument. People have attacked you as not being a fan (which is irrelevant). Obviously you are. Being a doctor is no guarantee of being right on every issue. I've had doctors give me horrible advice in the past. I've had doctors contradict each other. I've had doctors misdiagnose. Kill's doctor is supposed to be world renowned yet it seems he's getting worse under his care. The bottom line to me is Kill coaches to avoid defeat above all else. I want a coach who coaches to win above all else. That means taking chances.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

Why do you hold him to those standards when you don't do the same for yourself?

I wouldn't care about Jerry Kill if he weren't the Gophers coach. I don't want him to die on the field, but it's not my choice to make, nor is it yours. Spare us the sanctimony.

P.S. It's easy for you to not "worry so much about [Gopher] football" since you don't care about Gopher sports regardless of who's coaching the football team.

Stop trying to make this about me.

This man may be taking time off his life. He doesn't pop back up after a seizure, brush off his shoulders and go back to life. He's getting physically beat up. It's awful.

It's unfair and I feel for Coach Kill. He's fighting through this the way he knows how - literally fighting it. I understand that. But he needs real help - from a medical standpoint, getting off the field is a good idea.

I know you're concerned with the football program and you wouldn't care about the man if he weren't your team's head coach. We're different in that regard. I'm concerned for a fellow human and I see behavior that is - for lack of a better term - destructive. Whether it's leaving the hospital after surgery without being discharged, leaving the Mayo against the doctors' recommendations, or simply continuing to coach at Minnesota, I'm worried. For him.

We also don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Could Kill be demanding that his meds be changed because he's feeling too tired/sleepy, putting him at greater risk of more seizures? "Change my damn meds, I can't be sleeping all gosh darn day. I've got a damn football team to coach." Maybe. Would be consistent with some of his past behavior.

Jerry Kill winning his first ever FBS bowl game would be great, but Jerry Kill living a long, healthy life would do a lot more for me. Maybe I'm wrong for putting a man's well being ahead of a football program, but that's where I stand.

 

[dpodoll68]

I know you're concerned with the football program and you wouldn't care about the man if he weren't your team's head coach. We're different in that regard.

Of course it's different, because Marquette doesn't have a football team. So you don't have a football coach to be concerned about.

 

[dpodoll68]

People have attacked you as not being a fan (which is irrelevant).

Of course it's relevant. Fans of the Gopher football team want success for the Gopher football team. Wannabe journalists/reporters want controversy and salacious news so they have something to gossip, "report", and speculate about.

Obviously you are.

Best joke I've heard today.

 

[mnsports1]

Stop trying to make this about me.

This man may be taking time off his life. He doesn't pop back up after a seizure, brush off his shoulders and go back to life. He's getting physically beat up. It's awful.

It's unfair and I feel for Coach Kill. He's fighting through this the way he knows how - literally fighting it. I understand that. But he needs real help - from a medical standpoint, getting off the field is a good idea.

I know you're concerned with the football program and you wouldn't care about the man if he weren't your team's head coach. We're different in that regard. I'm concerned for a fellow human and I see behavior that is - for lack of a better term - destructive. Whether it's leaving the hospital after surgery without being discharged, leaving the Mayo against the doctors' recommendations, or simply continuing to coach at Minnesota, I'm worried. For him.

We also don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Could Kill be demanding that his meds be changed because he's feeling too tired/sleepy, putting him at greater risk of more seizures? "Change my damn meds, I can't be sleeping all gosh darn day. I've got a damn football team to coach." Maybe. Would be consistent with some of his past behavior.

Jerry Kill winning his first ever FBS bowl game would be great, but Jerry Kill living a long, healthy life would do a lot more for me. Maybe I'm wrong for putting a man's well being ahead of a football program, but that's where I stand.

Jim Souhan much?

 

[RodentRampage]

Jim Souhan much?

Don't knock his expert medical opinion.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Stop trying to make this about me.

This man may be taking time off his life. He doesn't pop back up after a seizure, brush off his shoulders and go back to life. He's getting physically beat up. It's awful.

It's unfair and I feel for Coach Kill. He's fighting through this the way he knows how - literally fighting it. I understand that. But he needs real help - from a medical standpoint, getting off the field is a good idea.

I know you're concerned with the football program and you wouldn't care about the man if he weren't your team's head coach. We're different in that regard. I'm concerned for a fellow human and I see behavior that is - for lack of a better term - destructive. Whether it's leaving the hospital after surgery without being discharged, leaving the Mayo against the doctors' recommendations, or simply continuing to coach at Minnesota, I'm worried. For him.

We also don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Could Kill be demanding that his meds be changed because he's feeling too tired/sleepy, putting him at greater risk of more seizures? "Change my damn meds, I can't be sleeping all gosh darn day. I've got a damn football team to coach." Maybe. Would be consistent with some of his past behavior.

Jerry Kill winning his first ever FBS bowl game would be great, but Jerry Kill living a long, healthy life would do a lot more for me. Maybe I'm wrong for putting a man's well being ahead of a football program, but that's where I stand.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion and the things you are saying may be true. But you are making a bunch of assumptions. You have no idea if he would be going through the same thing if he weren't the head coach of the Gophers right now. You're assuming that if he quit today, his health would improve. Unless you are the doctor, you don't know.

You're acting like you're looking out for Kill more than his wife, family, and doctors. It's just a hunch, but I'm guessing they know more than you do.

As far as there being lack of information being presented to us, that is just your opinion. You're looking at it from the media's standpoint. Of course you want as much information as possible. I think what he, his family, and Teague want to talk about is completely up to them and not us. Either way, I don't see how us knowing more of his personal stuff changes anything. The people that are important in this situation do.

 

[killme]

You have no credibility and have on some thick rose colored glasses.

I'm not ashamed of my four-eyed view and the spectacles I've chosen; rather proud of it, in fact. But, why don't I have any credibility?

 

[killme]

Of course you are entitled to your opinion and the things you are saying may be true. But you are making a bunch of assumptions. You have no idea if he would be going through the same thing if he weren't the head coach of the Gophers right now. You're assuming that if he quit today, his health would improve. Unless you are the doctor, you don't know.

You're acting like you're looking out for Kill more than his wife, family, and doctors. It's just a hunch, but I'm guessing they know more than you do.

As far as there being lack of information being presented to us, that is just your opinion. You're looking at it from the media's standpoint. Of course you want as much information as possible. I think what he, his family, and Teague want to talk about is completely up to them and not us. Either way, I don't see how us knowing more of his personal stuff changes anything. The people that are important in this situation do.

Well said. I recall in response to a question about whether he should be working hearing Jerry say something like "What am I supposed to do?! Sit around and wait for another damn seizure?!" Seems to me here in America we ought to have some rights, like the "pursuit of happiness" and if I want to eat too many donuts or coach football with epilepsy, I should be able to.

 

[Deleted_User]

Well said. I recall in response to a question about whether he should be working hearing Jerry say something like "What am I supposed to do?! Sit around and wait for another damn seizure?!" Seems to me here in America we ought to have some rights, like the "pursuit of happiness" and if I want to eat too many donuts or coach football with epilepsy, I should be able to.

Yeah, that is about right. The fact remains that what I do, others may object to with good cause even though I am free to behave as I do. Even though a team may support their coach, they may not in fact be the best judges on the matter. Even other coaches may not have the best judgement on the matter. We in GH don't have the best perspective on the matter.

If a illegal drug user was our coach, and he failed to do rehab and missed several games, would we keep him as our coach? Nope. If a coach who had another disability, other than epilepsy, could not coach any game of the season, would he remain a coach even if beloved? Nope. The question is to what degree can the school tolerate epilepsy and losses as a combination and at what point do they together with other factors determine if a coach gets terminated, even if beloved by all.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING THE COACH BE TERMINATED.

What I am clearly stating is all coaches need to be evaluated according to their accomplishments and mission. Voices in support in public are a good sign of the strength of job for coach Kill. At the same time, I think the voices who question coach Kill's body of work at the U have raised legitimate concerns about the growth of the program. I have seen good things and bad. I think it is fair to raise questions regarding the program right now, because right now the leader is once again sidelined during the very busy football season. People go to Gopherhole to read about the team and to discuss The U's sports program. To say that it is up to somebody else is kind of funny to read. We exist for our own purpose, not somebody else's purpose. Teague may have his agenda, which supposedly reflects upon The U and its constituent communities, GH included. We might not be chartered, but my goodness, everybody knows where our loyalty resides.

 

[howeda7]

Stop trying to make this about me.

This man may be taking time off his life. He doesn't pop back up after a seizure, brush off his shoulders and go back to life. He's getting physically beat up. It's awful.

It's unfair and I feel for Coach Kill. He's fighting through this the way he knows how - literally fighting it. I understand that. But he needs real help - from a medical standpoint, getting off the field is a good idea.

I know you're concerned with the football program and you wouldn't care about the man if he weren't your team's head coach. We're different in that regard. I'm concerned for a fellow human and I see behavior that is - for lack of a better term - destructive. Whether it's leaving the hospital after surgery without being discharged, leaving the Mayo against the doctors' recommendations, or simply continuing to coach at Minnesota, I'm worried. For him.

We also don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Could Kill be demanding that his meds be changed because he's feeling too tired/sleepy, putting him at greater risk of more seizures? "Change my damn meds, I can't be sleeping all gosh darn day. I've got a damn football team to coach." Maybe. Would be consistent with some of his past behavior.

Jerry Kill winning his first ever FBS bowl game would be great, but Jerry Kill living a long, healthy life would do a lot more for me. Maybe I'm wrong for putting a man's well being ahead of a football program, but that's where I stand.

Give us a break. What you care about most of all, whether the topic is Mbakwe, Kill or Justin Morneau, is being proven 'right.' Probably even more than Marquette basketball.

I'm sure you care about Kill as a human. We all do. But none of can make the decision of when it's time to walk away for the sake of his health. Only he and his family can do that. If he continues to coach and have these issues, at some point it may be up to the U to decide and not him. But we haven't reached that point yet.

 

[killme]

Yeah, that is about right. The fact remains that what I do, others may object to with good cause even though I am free to behave as I do. Even though a team may support their coach, they may not in fact be the best judges on the matter. Even other coaches may not have the best judgement on the matter. We in GH don't have the best perspective on the matter.

If a illegal drug user was our coach, and he failed to do rehab and missed several games, would we keep him as our coach? Nope. If a coach who had another disability, other than epilepsy, could not coach any game of the season, would he remain a coach even if beloved? Nope. The question is to what degree can the school tolerate epilepsy and losses as a combination and at what point do they together with other factors determine if a coach gets terminated, even if beloved by all.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING THE COACH BE TERMINATED.

What I am clearly stating is all coaches need to be evaluated according to their accomplishments and mission. Voices in support in public are a good sign of the strength of job for coach Kill. At the same time, I think the voices who question coach Kill's body of work at the U have raised legitimate concerns about the growth of the program. I have seen good things and bad. I think it is fair to raise questions regarding the program right now, because right now the leader is once again sidelined during the very busy football season. People go to Gopherhole to read about the team and to discuss The U's sports program. To say that it is up to somebody else is kind of funny to read. We exist for our own purpose, not somebody else's purpose. Teague may have his agenda, which supposedly reflects upon The U and its constituent communities, GH included. We might not be chartered, but my goodness, everybody knows where our loyalty resides.

C'mon, Dean S. Nothing I've written says keep Kill if he takes the football program to new lows. If this program does not progress towards contention in the B1G and BSC, then by all means replace him if you can improve those chances. My contention has been that he will get it done and do it in a way that will make this community and the alumni proud.

If epilepsy beats him, than that's just another bad break for Coach Kill...and I believe for Minnesota. If the epilepsy prevents him from moving the program forward, and he thinks he can't beat it, I believe he will step down. But, he's not a quitter. He's a fighter and he and his staff have a way of figuring things out. If the decision makers think he's not getting it done they can replace him. He's overcome nay-sayers, cancer, long odds...I'm betting he beats this, too.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

You go 1-7 this year you've taken 2 steps backwards. Year 4 the schedule is even tougher. Year 5 the
the schedule mirrors year 4. With the current issues regarding coach Kill's health and the results of the last two games, Kill and staff are running against the wind. This recruiting class, albeit a short one will be very important to the improvement of this program. Kill does all the right things, but it boils down to wins and losses. If after year 5 he has only picked up 2-3 conference wins in year 4 and 5 I will be screaming for his removal. As Billy Martin once said; " Nice guys finish last "

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

As Billy Martin once said; " Nice guys finish last "

I thought Leo Durocher said that.