Former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill and the university have officially parted ways after an agreement over what Kill’s new role would be was unable to be reached, according to Joe Christensen of The Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Kill, who suffers from epilepsy, retired midway through last season after it was determined that he could not coach the Golden Gophers anymore following another seizure. Speaking to Christensen, he stated that the split between both parties was “amicable” and that it was over the school’s unwillingness to have him work in the athletic department.
“I visited with the president, and it was very professional in manner,” Kill said. “He would like me to speak on behalf of the university, raise money and teach a class or two. I really appreciate that offer, but I want to be involved with athletics. I’ve been involved with athletics my whole life, and I want to be around the kids more than anything.
“That wasn’t part of the offer. I understand that, but that was the deal-breaker for me.”
As a result, Kill and his wife have returned home to Carbondale, Illinois, where they made their home during Kill’s tenure as head coach of Southern Illinois. He leaves Minnesota with a 29-29 (14-21 Big Ten) record in four-plus seasons and a career mark of 152-99 in time spent with Minnesota, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Division II programs Emporia State and Saginaw Valley State.
It’s sad that both parties were unable to come to some sort of agreement, but it’s probably for the best considering how Minnesota wants to let longtime Kill assistant Tracy Claeys have full control of the program and by having Kill involved in athletics, that may have been hard to achieve. Fortunately, Kill doesn’t seem to be holding any ill will towards the university.
“I love the university,” Kill said. “I’ll always be a Gopher. If the university needs my help, I’m a phone call away.”
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
