Zebrowski details conversation with Claeys when he got fired

[BleedGopher]

per Greder's Q&A:

When you look at how you left Minnesota, was it a surprise to you?

“It was a total shock. … When Tracy (Claeys) got the job (to replace retired Jerry Kill), we were all like, ‘Yeah, I’m so happy for you.’ He’s like, ‘Thanks, Jim.” And all that stuff. Nothing changed. He would stop by my office and say, ‘Hey, Jim. Mitch played great.’

It was a Sunday banquet (after the 31-21 loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 28) and Mitch is getting all these team awards (including MVP). You see coach Kill and Tracy Claeys and Mitch up there. All of a sudden an hour and half later, you get a quick (conversation with Claeys ‘I know it’s bad timing, but we’re not going to renew your contract.’

‘Was it something I did?’

‘No. Just want to go in a different direction.’

‘Did the quarterbacks not play well enough?’

‘No, they played really good.’

I think his deal was he wanted one (playcaller). He wants one person, one voice and not multiple voices.

People can spin it however they want. There are multiple ways you could have done it. He just decided to do it. …

You and I know Coach Kill would never have done that; that was the hard part about it. When it happens, (they) are messing with your family. It hurts you and your family. You know you could have done better, obviously I know that, I wish we would have won more games.

If you look at specifics, (Leidner) played pretty darn well and did what he had to do to keep getting better. People make decisions. I’ve had 20 some years of college coaching … and I’ve lived the dream. … to get to a school that financially changes your life.

Then in a matter of two months you see the other side of the sport that you hear about and seen some of my friends go through. You hear, they just fired this guy and that. In two months, you think I just became that.”

http://www.twincities.com/2016/05/09/qa-former-gophers-coach-jim-zebrowski-reflects-on-time-at-u/

Go Gophers!!

 

[denguegopher]

Its a tough business. I do not mind seeing someone else getting shot at improving our QB's though.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Sounds like TC handled it as well as one could with waiting until after the awards ceremony. Never easy to here those words, and I wish him well.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

Unless I'm missing someone, this staff has helped kids get to the NFL from every position group, except for QB and OL. I don't think it's a coincidence that those two coaches are the ones who got the hook.

 

[wait!what?]

Claeys is defense is woke and Claeys is done with having his D on the field constantly.

 

[Winasota Gopher]

You and I know Coach Kill would never have done that; that was the hard part about it. When it happens, (they) are messing with your family. It hurts you and your family. You know you could have done better, obviously I know that, I wish we would have won more games.

Horse**** to throw the family in there as a reason to do or not to do something on this level of coaching, he's not wrong, but to put that as a reason to not do it and air it out in the paper is bs. Privately sure, in the paper "don't mess with my family man..." weak argument.

If Zeb was worthy of a d1 coaching position, he would have one.

 

[Section2]

Lost respect for Coach Z from that interview. Claeys didn't throw him under the bus whatsoever, and he didn't need to "spin" the dismissal. If he's that shocked, maybe he was a little too comfortable. Need a little thicker skin, this is big boy football, and your offense and passing game weren't good enough.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

Claeys is defense is woke and Claeys is done with having his D on the field constantly.

How are those ESL classes coming along?

 

[WanderingGopher]

per Greder's Q&A: When you look at how you left Minnesota, was it a surprise to you? “It was a total shock. … When Tracy (Claeys) got the job (to replace retired Jerry Kill), we were all like, ‘Yeah, I’m so happy for you.’ He’s like, ‘Thanks, Jim.” And all that stuff. Nothing changed. He would stop by my office and say, ‘Hey, Jim. Mitch played great.’ It was a Sunday banquet (after the 31-21 loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 28) and Mitch is getting all these team awards (including MVP). You see coach Kill and Tracy Claeys and Mitch up there. All of a sudden an hour and half later, you get a quick (conversation with Claeys ‘I know it’s bad timing, but we’re not going to renew your contract.’ ‘Was it something I did?’ ‘No. Just want to go in a different direction.’ ‘Did the quarterbacks not play well enough?’ ‘No, they played really good.’ I think his deal was he wanted one (playcaller). He wants one person, one voice and not multiple voices. People can spin it however they want. There are multiple ways you could have done it. He just decided to do it. … You and I know Coach Kill would never have done that; that was the hard part about it. When it happens, (they) are messing with your family. It hurts you and your family. You know you could have done better, obviously I know that, I wish we would have won more games. If you look at specifics, (Leidner) played pretty darn well and did what he had to do to keep getting better. People make decisions. I’ve had 20 some years of college coaching … and I’ve lived the dream. … to get to a school that financially changes your life. Then in a matter of two months you see the other side of the sport that you hear about and seen some of my friends go through. You hear, they just fired this guy and that. In two months, you think I just became that.” http://www.twincities.com/2016/05/09/qa-former-gophers-coach-jim-zebrowski-reflects-on-time-at-u/ Go Gophers!!

Why is it that oftentimes the coach being fired is the only one "shocked?" I don't think any fans were shocked at all that Claeys parted with Limegrover and Zebrowski. It was a rational decision and the writing was on the wall.

Same with Tubby. Yes, it sucks to be let go, but don't these people have any self-awareness?

 

[IronRanger91]

Sounds like TC handled it as well as one could with waiting until after the awards ceremony. Never easy to here those words, and I wish him well.

Are you flipping kidding me? How classless!

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Are you flipping kidding me? How classless!

How else and when do you let someone know they are not coming back? Did you want him to wait until he next day?

 

[Iceland12]

Are you flipping kidding me? How classless!

Seriously, how could he have fired him that would have been "classier"? Can think of worse ways to do it, but can't think of a better way off the top of my head. You seem to have given it more thought.

 

[IronRanger91]

How else and when do you let someone know they are not coming back? Did you want him to wait until he next day?

Maybe wait until the next day? Not on the night they are honoring players! You can disagree with me, but we are going to regret this hire. Keep Claeys because we have to keep our momentum and staff consistency. He proceeds to fire two long time assistants. There is s reason hex was given such a short contract. I wouldn't be shocked if the new AD cans him within two years. IMO, he us over his head.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Maybe wait until the next day? Not on the night they are honoring players! You can disagree with me, but we are going to regret this hire. Keep Claeys because we have to keep our momentum and staff consistency. He proceeds to fire two long time assistants. There is s reason hex was given such a short contract. I wouldn't be shocked if the new AD cans him within two years. IMO, he us over his head.

Most of would agree that the offense needed something. Obviously Claeys being close to this offense and the often sputtering 3 and out performance wanted to make a change. If I was coaching for my life I would do the same thing.
I don't know how much time you have to renew contracts, but he gave Z and Limegrover time to look for new positions, and did it about as kindly as you can do such a thing.

 

[Iceland12]

Maybe wait until the next day? Not on the night they are honoring players! You can disagree with me, but we are going to regret this hire. Keep Claeys because we have to keep our momentum and staff consistency. He proceeds to fire two long time assistants. There is s reason hex was given such a short contract. I wouldn't be shocked if the new AD cans him within two years. IMO, he us over his head.

That's the classic "Christmas Season" firing dilemma. Do you fire someone before Christmas and ruin their holiday. Or do you fire them after Christmas when they've spent the money and undercut their euphoria.

Your choice would be to have let him go thru the ceremony and get pumped up for the coming season and then pulling the rug out the next day.

Can't see how that would make it any better. Either way, Zembrowski was right, Claeys saw the problems with two guys calling plays and didn't want Zembrowski to be that guy.

Finding out that there isn't a lot of demand for your services can't help either.

 

[Iceland12]

Most of would agree that the offense needed something. Obviously Claeys being close to this offense and the often sputtering 3 and out performance wanted to make a change. If I was coaching for my life I would do the same thing.
I don't know how much time you have to renew contracts, but he gave Z and Limegrover time to look for new positions, and did it about as kindly as you can do such a thing.

Yep.

 

[GO4INLALALAND]

Why is it that oftentimes the coach being fired is the only one "shocked?" I don't think any fans were shocked at all that Claeys parted with Limegrover and Zebrowski. It was a rational decision and the writing was on the wall.

Same with Tubby. Yes, it sucks to be let go, but don't these people have any self-awareness?

The only reason I was shocked that Clayes fired Limey and Zeb was that I didn't think that Clayes had the balls to do it. Zeb is right, Kill never would have done it and that was a decision I disagreed with. I am glad Clayes fired Limey and Zeb as our offense was very weak last year. Hell, we only won 5 games. It was time to let someone else in there and see what they could do. Limey and Zeb had their chance and they blew it....next!

 

[NorthernLakesGopher]

I think the fact the Claeys was decisive and made the decision that he feels is best for the program shows that he is not in over his head at all. He witnessed deficiencies in the offense from inside the program and took action.

 

[swgopherdog]

Are you flipping kidding me? How classless!

I have had to dismiss a number of people over the years and there is really no great way to do it. Sounds as if TC made a decision and did his job. Maybe kill should have done the same thing a number of years ago. Go TC and go Gophers!

 

[hungan1]

The Michigan loss could be a tipping point. Too many cooks on offense.

 

[Word]

Zebrowski was making $270,000 to coach a few quarterbacks. Part of the football coach's career is high risk, high reward. He was being compensated at a ridiculously high level for what he was doing, but at the same time it's a job that can come and go quickly and he should have known that.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I suspect Claeys had it in the back of his mind that if given the team permanently..... who he would keep and who he wouldn't. He's played with these guys a long time, it's not like he would need to evaluate them to know. I suspect their fate was sealed as soon as Kill steeped down. Nothing wrong with that. It has to be Claeys team 100% if he is the guy.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Zebrowski was making $270,000 to coach a few quarterbacks. Part of the football coach's career is high risk, high reward. He was being compensated at a ridiculously high level for what he was doing, but at the same time it's a job that can come and go quickly and he should have known that.

He's paid well but college coaches work like 80 hour weeks. That's a sacrifice for them and their family. It's not like he's sipping drinks under an umbrella while the kids run laps.

 

[upnorthkid]

Maybe wait until the next day? Not on the night they are honoring players! You can disagree with me, but we are going to regret this hire. Keep Claeys because we have to keep our momentum and staff consistency. He proceeds to fire two long time assistants. There is s reason hex was given such a short contract. I wouldn't be shocked if the new AD cans him within two years. IMO, he us over his head.

People can say what they will about you, but you are one thing. Highly entertaining

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I have to appreciate his candor, even if there's a little sour grapes in there. And he's probably right that Kill wouldn't have let him or Limey go. The program very likely could have plateaued and they would be on the outs in as little as 2-3 years as the new AD would probably be less patient with a Kill-less staff. Claeys was a little cold-blooded but he knows that to compete for Big Ten titles they need to tweak the weakest links on the team.

I've not yet developed a good feel for what makes Claeys tick. He obviously lacks Kill's empathic streak for better or worse. A math teacher that played high school ball but no college. Left stable teaching job to take a low-paying coaching job, a move that takes some level of balls, or, he really hated teaching math. Obviously loves the game and strategy of football. Bachelor. Eats and sleeps film but regrettably doesn't have personal discipline to maintain minimal fitness example for the kids. Has the gophers grossly outplaying their recruiting rankings (on defense). Seems genuine and honest. Probably has a strong underdog mentality. Copies many of Kills vocal tropes for better or worse. Needs to come out of his shell and kick some balls and butts. Be himself without regrets or if he's an introvert come up with a passable public persona.

 

[Some guy]

I was completely against the Claeys hiring until he fired the coaches.

 

[Section2]

Bottom line: Claeys fired two offensive coaches from an offense that struggled badly. Many blamed Mitch but we find out he might be the first gopher qb drafted in 40 years. The OC has since admitted that he couldn't do the job and wants to just be an OL coach. The other coach could only get a job in D3. Sounds like Claeys made a gutsy and very good call. And he handled it in a matter of fact way quickly and decisively, and said in a way that placed no blame on the coaches. Bravo Coach Claeys.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Bottom line: Claeys fired two offensive coaches from an offense that struggled badly. Many blamed Mitch but we find out he might be the first gopher qb drafted in 40 years. The OC has since admitted that he couldn't do the job and wants to just be an OL coach. The other coach could only get a job in D3. Sounds like Claeys made a gutsy and very good call. And he handled it in a matter of fact way quickly and decisively, and said in a way that placed no blame on the coaches. Bravo Coach Claeys.

That and Mitch looked better after the change... long term will be harder of course, but it was nice to see improvement.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

How are those ESL classes coming along?

LMAO

 

[Spoofin]

This isn't Girl Scouts. Put up or shut up. There is always an ugly side to a firing, in any job. All this interview says to me is that Kill should have shook things up a while ago. "Shocked". "Kill wouldn't have done it". Sad.


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