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University of Minnesota Athletics
Kill Agrees To Contract Extension
8/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Minnesota today announced that it has agreed to a one-year contract extension with head football coach Jerry Kill. With this latest agreement, Coach Kill is now under contract to lead the Gophers through the 2019 season.
"Coach Kill is a great leader and an asset, not just to our football program and our athletics department, but to the university community and the state of Minnesota," said University of Minnesota President Dr. Eric Kaler. "I have a great deal of respect for how Coach Kill runs his program. His intense focus on developing young men into outstanding students, athletes and citizens perfectly reflects the mission of Gopher Athletics."
Interim Director of Athletics Beth Goetz expressed similar enthusiasm about the U and Kill finalizing the contract extension.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Coach Kill for several years and I admire how he and his staff have built the Gopher Football program the right way. We're seeing the results of that hard work in competition and in the classroom," said Goetz. "I've talked to many Gopher fans who are very excited about the direction of our football program right now. I share their excitement. While we expect another great season this fall, this extension guarantees Coach Kill will continue to lead the Gopher Football program for years to come."
Kill is in his fifth year leading the Gophers and last season he led Minnesota to an eight-win season and a Jan. 1 bowl game for the first time since 1962. The Gophers finished the last two seasons at 8-5 and posted back-to back eight win seasons for the first time since 2002 (8 wins) and 2003 (10 wins). This is also only the fifth time since 1906 that Minnesota has won eight games in consecutive seasons.
"I am excited about it and am very appreciative of everybody," Kill told the media after Friday's practice. "I have complete confidence in President Kaler and spoke with Beth Goetz and Dan O'Brien and we are moving forward. I love the state, the people, our coaches and kids and I try to take care of all of them. My wife was also a big part of everything. A lot of it was her call at the end of the day and how she felt. We have had a lot of support here and felt like it was the right thing to do."
Kill, who was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the conference's coaches and media last season, last year guided Minnesota to wins against Michigan and Iowa for the first time in the same season since 1967. Minnesota also beat Nebraska in 2013 and 2014 and the win last season was the Gophers' first win in Lincoln since 1960.
Kill leads the most tenured coaching staff in the nation, as his nine assistants and strength and conditioning coach has served under him for a combined 141 years (counting the upcoming 2015 season). In addition to producing inspiring wins, the staff is also churning out NFL talent. Last season, Minnesota saw four of its players selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, which is the most the school has produced since 2006.
