Re: Gopher Nation - NCAA 11
Exclusive Interview with Coach Kill
This is the first time we've been able to talk to Coach Kill since his hiring at the beginning of the 2010 season.
Jerry Kill took over the Gophers team that was in shambles, and has been able to re-build it into a national contender after just 1 1/2 years behind the helm. He has compiled a 15-4 record and the Gophers are currently ranked #3 nationally. Last year, the group outperformed what many thought they would do, and this year has been a perfect season so far going 6-0 (3-0 in Big Ten play), and have their sights set at a BCS bowl bid. Coach Kill has finally taken time from his busy schedule to sit down for an interview, and will now be commenting more after every game with us.
Here it is:
Gopher Report: Coach Kill, since you took over the program, you've compiled a 15-4 record and are ranked #3 in the nation according to the Coaches' Poll, how do you explain it?
Jerry Kill: We've just been hard workers, and last year we could have had two more wins in which we lost some tough OT games. I think that we performed well and the hard work by the whole team has resulted in a success. All of the guys have bought into my system and the whole team is clicking. We will continue to work our hardest, and we will continue to improve. Our goal is the National Championship, but there's a process and we will continue to follow it to that goal.
GR: Your recruiting class last year was ranked 89th, this year it seems that you've been able to pull in more highly ranked recruits, is there any reason for this?
JK: We've been working hard at pulling in the young men that will help our system, we've gotten far more recruits than even I thought we would have at this point, but the rankings don't matter so much to us, we're worried about the type of player that we are bringing in, and all of these guys are quality ones. We will help them in their development and work our hardest with them, and I expect the same out of them.
GR: Your winning record has had some national pundits saying you will be considering a higher ranked job at a higher University such as Ohio State or Michigan, what do you have to say about these rumors?
JK: I don't comment on rumors, but let the fans of the Gophers know that I am 100% committed to this program, and don't have any intention of leaving. I will be here for as long as everyone wants me here. Let that be known.
Coach Kill has a tough slate left to play, but the Gophers have an inside track with their tough schedule to make it to a BCS Bowl bid. Coach Kill told us that he didn't do many interviews in his first year and half because he didn't want any distractions, and now will be more willing to offer insight and comments after every game.
Here it is:
Gopher Report: Coach Kill, since you took over the program, you've compiled a 15-4 record and are ranked #3 in the nation according to the Coaches' Poll, how do you explain it?
Jerry Kill: We've just been hard workers, and last year we could have had two more wins in which we lost some tough OT games. I think that we performed well and the hard work by the whole team has resulted in a success. All of the guys have bought into my system and the whole team is clicking. We will continue to work our hardest, and we will continue to improve. Our goal is the National Championship, but there's a process and we will continue to follow it to that goal.
GR: Your recruiting class last year was ranked 89th, this year it seems that you've been able to pull in more highly ranked recruits, is there any reason for this?
JK: We've been working hard at pulling in the young men that will help our system, we've gotten far more recruits than even I thought we would have at this point, but the rankings don't matter so much to us, we're worried about the type of player that we are bringing in, and all of these guys are quality ones. We will help them in their development and work our hardest with them, and I expect the same out of them.
GR: Your winning record has had some national pundits saying you will be considering a higher ranked job at a higher University such as Ohio State or Michigan, what do you have to say about these rumors?
JK: I don't comment on rumors, but let the fans of the Gophers know that I am 100% committed to this program, and don't have any intention of leaving. I will be here for as long as everyone wants me here. Let that be known.
Coach Kill has a tough slate left to play, but the Gophers have an inside track with their tough schedule to make it to a BCS Bowl bid. Coach Kill told us that he didn't do many interviews in his first year and half because he didn't want any distractions, and now will be more willing to offer insight and comments after every game.
@ 
26 @ 23 
6-1 (3-1)
20 @ 51 
5-2 (3-2)
17 @ 34 
5-1(3-0)
3 @ 34 
27 @ 13 
3 @ 41 
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