Gophers/ Coach Kill/ Big Ten

[Mr. Brooks]

Rather than continue off topic in the Tubby Out thread, I'll start a new one.

 

Once again, those of you with faith in coach Kill, wake me up when he can do anything in the Big 10.

 

How many years does he get a free pass, while continuing to get curb stomped by any quality Big 10 team we play, before people realize that he is basically Tim Brewster, but with a cupcake non conference schedule?

 

Sure, he's a better person than Brewster, so please don't think that I'm comparing them in that regard, but results wise, it's more of the same.

 

This isn't Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western Illinois, this is the Big Ten.

If you need any further proof that Jerry Kill is in way over his head competing in MAJOR college football, simply read his comments regarding the QB "controversy" (I put controversy in quotes, because IMO it shouldn't even be a "controversy", Phillip Nelson shouldn't even take a snap unless it's garbage time).

 

Jerry Kill literally said that you can't bench a player if he plays bad, because that sets a poor example for team chemistry.

 

So, to interpret Kill's own words, if you want a coach that will tell his players, "good game boys, you got dominated in every phase, but you tried hard, now lets all go get ice cream", then he's your man.

Unfortunately, that's not good enough for me, I'm sorry but this isn't Pop Warner, results matter.

[biggentleben]

Results matter, sure, but the Gophers needed a repair "good guy" coach after Brewster screwed so many good young men in his coaching tenure. I'm not sure if Kill is the guy to take the team to a Big Ten championship, but neither was Glen Mason, and he took 7 of his 10 Gopher teams to bowl games. The problem is that they went from Mason to Brewster instead of seeking out a premium coach. Until the Gophers are willing to spend the money for an elite-level coach, the Mason era is as good as the Gophers can hope for.

 

The biggest thing that improved with Kill is the assistants he has on board. One of the things that was easy to see about Mason was that a number of his assistants found their way to bigger and better things (see David Gibbs). Time will tell with Kill in that regard, but everything I've heard from former players that are still around the program is that there is a similar feel to the intensity of practice that Mason once had. He's not there yet in on field results, and he may never get there, but my expectations with the program aren't heavy.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm not convinced these coaches can recruit enough to compete, frankly. X's and O's, hard to tell, I've stopped watching the games.

 

I agree with the general sentiment, this leadership seems unwilling to focus on results with Kill so far. I would guess that will change when next year is as bad as this year looks to be.

[Badsmerf]

This is a talent issue. Mason was able to find talent and compete nationally while playing in the Metrodome. I give him a lot of credit for that. His teams where flawed (especially his horrid defenses), but at least they had a pulse. Brewster destroyed the program and should have got the AD fired for that complete **** up.

 

I'm not sure with Kill yet. His teams haven't been able to hold a finger to the big 10 and the only guy with talent was Grey, which wasn't his recruit (also the only reason he has any big 10 wins). In order to get better he needs to start getting some better talent. Watching Ohio State and Wisconsin play is pretty telling the talent gap right now. I hope he can start showing some signs of turning things around, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Fatt Crapps]

Well Coach Kill isn't gonna be on the sidelines for today's game. Another seizure.

[Mike Sixel]

No sense of urgency at the end of the game, again. These guys can't coach, IMO.

[Mr. Brooks]

No sense of urgency at the end of the game, again. These guys can't coach, IMO.

 

And running the clock out to end the first half. You have nothing to lose, why would you play so passively?

They played to not get blown out, instead of to win, and ironically they still got blown out.

 

And, in regards to Kill's condition. I respect how much he's accomplished in a tough industry with this condition, but when it starts to interfere with your abilities to do your job, it is something that needs to be addressed, IMO.

[biggentleben]

While I appreciate this...I wish there was more definition behind this:

 

Jerry Kill going to stay away from Minnesota to treat epilepsy - ESPN

[biggentleben]

This is a talent issue. Mason was able to find talent and compete nationally while playing in the Metrodome. I give him a lot of credit for that. His teams where flawed (especially his horrid defenses), but at least they had a pulse. Brewster destroyed the program and should have got the AD fired for that complete **** up.

 

I'm not sure with Kill yet. His teams haven't been able to hold a finger to the big 10 and the only guy with talent was Grey, which wasn't his recruit (also the only reason he has any big 10 wins). In order to get better he needs to start getting some better talent. Watching Ohio State and Wisconsin play is pretty telling the talent gap right now. I hope he can start showing some signs of turning things around, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Mason was amazing at coaching his kids up. I remember in the early 2000s working at Grandma's in Minneapolis as an elder Badger backer came to shoot the breeze on a Saturday afternoon during the Battle for the Axe. His comment was that Mason did a hell of a job coaching up his boys, but at the end of the day, the talent level difference killed him against the big time schools.

 

Mason was also a terrible situational coach, as evidenced by the 2005 Axe game and the 2003 Michigan game. I loved the guy and would have played my heart out for him any day of the week, but he got "his guys", which often meant missing out on top-end talent but having a very cohesive team.

[twinsnorth49]

Anybody awake yet or shall we just make the Tracey Claeys is really coaching the team, Northwestern had injury issues, Nebraska isn't really that good, excuses now?

 

Three years to rebuild a program and build the culture you envision is ridiculous unless you inherit programs the likes of which Bielema did, which of course do not require a rebuild in any way.

 

Mason did some good things and had productive offenses, his defenses were abhorrent and he had a belief that you could only ever be so good in Minnesota, an attitude felt by the players and student body. It also limited his recruiting, he settled and became comfortable.

 

Kill has been far from perfect and his approach to non-conference play is disappointing but I still believe he is working to achieve a higher standard and a winning culture at Minnesota. The win over Nebraska goes a long way in furthering that.

[stringer bell]

With the emotional event of Kill leaving the team to treat his epilepsy, the team has played just about as good as it can for the last two weeks. I see another win or two and perhaps they can sneak out another against one of the "big boys" against Wisconsin and Michigan State. The question I have, though, is whether this is as good as a Kill-coached team can do. Can he get better talent, especially with the epilepsy issue and can he continue as coach with his epilepsy.

 

The Big Ten is historically weak this year. Getting four or five wins is doable, but I am not sure the road leads to moving up among the higher echelons of the Big Ten.

[Mike Sixel]

They had a great game against Nebraska. And I want them to succeed. But let's not pretend we know with any certainty that this regime is good at their job or not. They clearly messed up some strategy in earlier games......

[twinsnorth49]

They had a great game against Nebraska. And I want them to succeed. But let's not pretend we know with any certainty that this regime is good at their job or not. They clearly messed up some strategy in earlier games......

No more than we know with any certainty that they can't. Let' not pretend some of the best coaches, in any sport, haven't messed up strategy.

 

Stringer makes a good point, is this as good as it gets for Kill's program and can they get the talent? Wins like this matter, they serve as good examples that the program can acomplish things, which can definitely help recruiting, especially locally.

 

With the program he inherited, year 5 is the make or break year, 5 or 6 conference wins would be successful to me by then and moving on to have a shot at the B10 title game beyond that.

[Mike Sixel]

I think that's a fair timeline, though I'd say 3-5 years, since he should be able to coach up other guys, and have his guys in leadership roles by then. But I agree, it is too early to say one way or the other, that's my point. We don't know yet.

[biggentleben]

I think that's a fair timeline, though I'd say 3-5 years, since he should be able to coach up other guys, and have his guys in leadership roles by then. But I agree, it is too early to say one way or the other, that's my point. We don't know yet.

 

We don't know yet, but you NEED a big win like this one to turn recruiting heads. Mason had his win over Penn State in 1999 that helped the program. This isn't quite on the same level as that win, but it will certainly help.

[Badsmerf]

I don't get to watch gopher games as much as you guys do, but they looked like a different team Saturday. Much improved. I'd say the last few weeks has given this coaching staff a longer leash. I hope they can continue to progress and grow.

[Badsmerf]

Another Big Ten win! I have to hand it to this team, they play hard and just keep getting better. No way they beat Indiana at the beginning of the year. Hopefully they can keep it up, get ranked and find their way into a cool bowl game. I love watching a team that has some fight in them. Regardless of how they end the season, this is the most I've looked forward to watching a Gopher game since Mason's 28 point forth quarter collapse against Michigan.

[twinsnorth49]

They have been a great to watch the last few weeks. They have an attitude,the defense swarms the ball and plays hard to the whistle and the offense loves pounding the ball, gotta love the character Kill is instilling in the program. Consider how young that O- line is, going to be a force in a year or two.

 

The best thing about this win is it showed another step forward for Kill and his program. They came off big wins over Northwestern and Nebraska and followed it up by beating a team they should beat, and did. That is a huge indicator that you believe in who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.

 

Damn that Iowa game got away from them, wish they could play them now, would be a different story.

 

Go Gophers!

[twinsnorth49]

4 in a row!!!! First time in 40 years!!!!!

 

4 preseason wins and 4 BG10 wins, who'da thunk it, good on Kill and his staff!!

 

This is a very young team and the future can only get brighter, definite boost to recruiting. Could be ranked this week even.

 

Go Gophers!!!

[Mike Sixel]

I wish I could watch, and not just listen.....

 

I love how the coaches realize punting is stupid from the 30-40....love their approach to the game. Now if they could get some serious talent here.

[Guest USAFChief]

I had the opportunity to take in the PSU game at TCF Stadium Saturday. Really nice stadium...they did it right. There was a real buzz in the place as well. Fantastic to see the Gophers in this position.

[twinsnorth49]

I had the opportunity to take in the PSU game at TCF Stadium Saturday. Really nice stadium...they did it right. There was a real buzz in the place as well. Fantastic to see the Gophers in this position.

 

Lucky man! I'm fortunate enough to see the Gophers a couple of times a year at TCF, you're right, it's an absolute gem, love the place almost as much as Target.

 

Except for the beer lines.........but at least they serve beer now.

[biggentleben]

Gophers ranked 23 in the coaches' poll and 25 in the BCS standings currently. The appearance in the BCS rankings is their first since TCF Bank Stadium opened.

[Mike Sixel]

They were the cover story on espn and cbs websites yesterday for a while. They are being covered by a lot of outlets this week. Let's hope they win, or at least stay close.

[TheLeviathan]

They were the cover story on espn and cbs websites yesterday for a while. They are being covered by a lot of outlets this week. Let's hope they win, or at least stay close.

 

A win this week would be gigantic for the program. They've already made positive steps, but this could be a real difference maker.