Gopher Football
TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson
“œTo me, Jerry Kill has always been a winner. He’s won everywhere he’s been and he is an even better person than he is a coach. The bottom line is everything he’s ever touched, he’s made better. He cares about his kids, he cares about his coaches and there’s not anybody that will work harder than he does.”
Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald
“œJerry Kill is just a tremendous guy and a great hire for Minnesota. He’s one of the most respected men and coaches in our profession. I’ve been extremely impressed with his teams at Northern Illinois, and previously at Southern Illinois. Jerry is a winner both on and off the field.”
Former NIU DE/San Diego Charger Larry English
“œHe’s definitely one of the greatest coaches I’ve ever been around. He’s real inspiring as a coach and as a man. I learned a lot from him on and off the field. I’m real happy for him and I think it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Former SIU RB/New York Giant Brandon Jacobs
“œPlaying for Coach Kill was special. He treated you like a man. There was a level of respect. He treated all his players fairly. He expected the best out of you and wanted you to go out and do everything you could to go out there and win. He stood behind you no matter what the situation. He’s the perfect college coach. He’s great for college football. I want to congratulate Minnesota because they are getting a great coach and I want to congratulate Coach Kill for moving up the ladder so fast. He was successful at Southern (Illinois), he was successful at Northern (Illinois) and now I know he’s going to be successful at Minnesota.”
NIU RB/MAC Player of the Year Chad Spann
“œHe’s a tremendous coach. He transformed a lot of our players into athletes. He molded a lot of players. That’s exactly what I think is going to help Minnesota get over the hump. He’s going to come in and demand respect and he’s going to win ballgames as long as they [the players] buy in. I think it’s a good move on both parts.”
“œHe was definitely a role model. He’s a guy that I respect a lot. Like he says, everybody has a story. His is just as amazing as anyone else’s. He overcame cancer. That was motivation for any of us to go out and give him 100 percent in everything we did.”
Sporting News College Football Writer Dave Curtis
“œThe teams that Jerry coaches improve in a hurry and play in the postseason. When I speak with the high-profile coaches around the country, Jerry’s name often comes up as one of the most respected guys in his business. I’d be surprised if this hire doesn’t go down as the best of this cycle of coaching changes.”
Big Ten Network Analyst Gerry Dinardo
“œI think the world of Jerry Kill, and I think it’s a great hire for Minnesota. I know his program, and I think that one of the best things about Jerry is that he’s been through rebuilding before, and he knows what he wants to do. He’s going to develop a very positive team culture and one of the results of that positive team culture will be wins on the field. There is no doubt in my mind that this was a great hire and that Jerry will have an incredibly positive and immediate impact at Minnesota.
ESPN College Football Reporter Joe Schad
“œThere are many “˜splash’ hires that fail. Ultimately, Jerry Kill will be judged on his ability to win. Kill is widely known and respected by his coaching peers. He approaches the game with an old-school, outwork-your-opponent approach. And he’s won everywhere he’s been.”
Big Ten Network Analyst Chris Martin
“œCoach Kill is a phenomenal hire for Minnesota. He’s a grinder that has an inexorable work ethic and attitude. He has an impressive body of work and has won everywhere he’s been. His winning track record has been fueled by his ability to successfully run the football which is certainly a Big Ten type of approach. He is true to himself and always coaches to his beliefs. Coach Kill has definitely paid his dues the old-fashioned way and taken the scenic route of head coaching.”
Northwestern AD Jim Phillips
“œTo be certain, Minnesota has made a fantastic hire. Jerry has been a winner at every level he’s coached, and it’s only a matter of time before the Gopher program returns to prominence. He is a man of impeccable character and integrity, and he possesses a work ethic that is second to none. The Minnesota student-athletes will love Coach Kill – they’re getting a humble man who values family and hard work. I couldn’t be happier for him, his wife Rebecca and their two beautiful girls. Sincere congratulations to Joel Maturi and President Bruininks on a tremendous hire, not only for Minnesota, but also the Big Ten Conference.”
ESPN Radio College Football Dennis Franchione
“œJerry Kill is the total package. He’s got a great work ethic, he has great relationships with his players, and Jerry understands the big picture. He has the ability to look at a program and recognize what it needs to be successful. His coaching background shows that he knows how to build winning programs.”