Image via WikipediaIt's been seven weeks since Tim Brewster was fired as the University of Minnesota's head football coach. So, when outgoing president Robert Bruininks' blessing, athletic director Joel Maturi conducted a nationwide search for a man who would (A) bring pride back to a moribund Gopher football program which had won three games this season, and (B) have previous head coaching experience. Which wasn't something that occurred to Maturi when he hired Brewster.After all that searching, the new Gopher football coach is . . . Jerry Kill, whose Northern Illinois squad was among those who helped send Brewster packing.
Yes, Kill has head coaching experience. He's coached at several schools in the Midwest before landing the NIU gig. This season he took his team to the Mid American Conference title game (they lost), and they are headed to a bowl game in Boise, Idaho (Kill won't be allowed to coach in it, however).
No, people in Gopherland aren't exactly thrilled with the choice of Kill. They thought Maturi could have done much better. But no self-respecting coach wanted to come to a program that seems to have a commitment to mediocrity. The Gophers hadn't won a Big Ten title since 1967. They haven't been to a Rose Bowl since 1962. The best players in Minnesota are going elsewhere. And the seats at TCF Bank Stadium won't be filled until U2 plays a concert there next summer.
Having said that, it's time to say something really controversial: Let's give Kill a chance to prove himself. Maybe he knows how to recruit players. Maybe he knows how to have better relationships with alumni and local high school football coaches. Maybe he knows how to compete in the rugged Big Ten, especially now that Nebraska is joining the conference. Most importantly, maybe he could win some games. The Rose Bowl will take care of itself.
In short, Jerry Kill may not be the coach you wanted. But he just might be the coach the Gophers need.
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