Posted August 24, 2011    

•Jerry Kill

•Tubby Smith

•Adrian Peterson

•Ron Gardenhire

•Dave Mona

Kill Presents Program Vision to Maturi 

Gophers’ athletic director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners that new football coach Jerry Kill has presented him with a “written vision” for the football program at Minnesota. 

Maturi declined to offer many specifics about the contents of the “two to three pages” planning document.  “It ranges from academics to support for facilities,” Maturi said. 

It’s most certain that salaries for assistant coaches are included, too.  Kill brought most of his staff with him from Northern Illinois after being hired in December and although compensation is significantly more at Minnesota, it’s known that the Gophers’ salaries for assistants rank near the bottom in the Big Ten.  

Maturi said compensation for coaches is affected by revenues and the Gophers football income ranks below most conference programs.  That doesn’t mean, though, that football revenues and other funding for the program can’t grow and provide a larger operating budget, including for salaries.   

The salaries for assistant coaches are important to Kill who is loyal to staff members who work for him.  He told Sports Headliners earlier this summer that if necessary he would accept less compensation for himself to pay his staff the salaries he believes his assistants deserve.  

It’s Maturi’s job to manage budgets and Kill’s responsibility to outline what he needs for success.  The coach’s message will undoubtedly be delivered to new president Eric Kaler, and perhaps it has already.  The two have had at least one meeting and certainly could have more.   

Sources tell Sports Headliners that Kaler will live up to his reputation for being supportive of intercollegiate sports, including making football important.  If the president wants football success to be a priority at Minnesota, that will go a long way to ensuring that the Gophers become winners because Kill has been a turnaround specialist other places he’s coached. 

Maturi is upbeat about both Kaler and Kill.  “How can you not like Jerry and Dr. Kaler?” he asked.

 

Don't Fret Over Kill Contract Yet

Media reports that Kill has not signed his contract may give Gophers fans undue worry.  Maturi said Kill signed and is working under a five year Memorandum of Understanding with terms that include a $1.1 million salary. 

A detailed contract continues to be negotiated between Kill and the Gophers.  What some observers may not realize is that it’s not unusual for someone like Kill to coach for at least part of his first season without a signed contract.   

Former Gophers coach Glen Mason didn’t have his formal contract completed while coaching during his initial season in 1997.  As with Mason, Kill and other coaches around the country, negotiations involve agents and lawyers.  Agreement on specific language can require time.   

During the interview with Sports Headliners, Maturi said his department continues to look at a contract extension with Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith.  Although he has three years remaining on his deal, Smith is looking for an extension and undoubtedly a salary boost from his annual compensation of about $2 million that already ranks him fourth in the Big Ten. 

Smith also wants a new practice facility but Maturi said funding requires “seven figure” lead donors.  So far that funding hasn’t been secured.   

Maturi’s to-do list these days also includes hiring a chief financial officer, replacing Elizabeth Eull who is still with the University but not in the athletic department.  The position requires budgetary and human resources expertise. 

 

Worth Noting   

The kicking game might be a strength on this year’s Gophers team.  Although it’s unusual for a head coach, Kill is involved with tutoring his punters and placekickers.  He doesn’t like standing around and sometimes wants to be involved with teaching. Punter Dan Orseske and Chris Hawthorne, both sophomores, have impressed in preseason workouts.   

National football authority Phil Steele ranks the Gophers’ schedule the 21^st most difficult in the country.  

College football fan Dana Marshall emailed that since Minnesota began playing in the Metrodome in 1982 and continuing through last season the Gophers and Indiana have the fewest seasons—four each—of above .500 conference records.  

Vikings running back Toby Gerhart spent part of his offseason with Adrian Peterson and the team’s other running backs at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  Gerhart’s brother Garth is a center for Arizona State.  Another brother, Colton, is a sophomore quarterback at Norco High School in California where his dad, Todd, is head coach.  

In practice Gerhart sometimes lines up with Peterson in a two-back set, prompting speculation they may play in games together on a somewhat regular basis. 

Ron Gardenhire said on his 1500 ESPN radio show Sunday he wants Alexi Casilla to remain a second baseman next season and not be a shortstop.  Gardenhire will play infielder-outfielder Trevor Plouffe at shortstop in some games before the season ends.  The Twins manager indicated the shortstop job will be an open competition at spring training in 2012. 

Gardenhire also said there is “absolutely” room on next year’s roster for outfielders Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer, both of whom will need new contracts to stay with the Twins.  Gardenhire wants to see Cuddyer, 32, finish his career here.  

Tink Larson will complete his transition to assistant coaching next year after being a head coach for 50 seasons, according to a story this month in the Waseca County News.  He will be an assistant with Waseca’s VFW, Legion and town-ball team, the Braves.  He is already an assistant coach with Minnesota State University, Mankato and the Waseca High School team.  

It will be Maya Moore bobblehead night on Friday when the Lynx play at Target Center against San Antonio.

Dave and Linda Mona report they raised more than $32,000 for Cystic Fibrosis at last week’s Camden’s Concert, named in honor of their 3 ½ year-old grandson, Camden Mona.  The next concert date will be July 25, 2012, and feature country western singer Suzy Bogguss.

 

Jerry Kill

  Dave Mona