Big Ten links: Jerry Kill's new job, Kirk Ferentz's contract & more

Great news here: Former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is going home, becoming the associate athletic director at Kansas State.

Kill, who was 29-29 in his five seasons at Minnesota, is expected to serve as chief administrator for the K-State football program.

If you're wondering, no, Kill isn't the coach-in-waiting for legend Bill Snyder. Kill insists his coaching days are over.

***

Chad Leistikow of HawkCentral.com says Iowa should extend Kirk Ferentz?s deal through 2023 but shouldn?t overpay.

A year ago on the spring banquet circuit, many wondered if Ferentz would make it past 2015. Now, 2025 seems possible for a guy who turned 60 last August. A 12-0 regular season and Rose Bowl berth flipped the script on Ferentz. Both parties would be wise to agree to add four years to Ferentz?s existing deal - getting him through the 2023 season - with escalating pay raises to reach $5 million annually. (In 2015, seven Division I coaches? pre-incentive salary was $5 million or higher; Ferentz?s pay ranked 14th.) Neither side is in a position to play hardball. Agreeing to four more years without an exorbitant buyout would represent mutual respect and fair market value. Make that deal, and Ferentz would be 68 when it finishes and join Hayden Fry as an Iowa icon. Who am I kidding ? he?s already an icon.

***

Yes, Tyler O?Connor figures to be the starting QB for Michigan State. But Damion Terry is still searching to stay in the battle-however he may be passed up for the No. 2 spot by Brian Lewerke, who I think is the future.

Michigan State quarterbacks coach Brad Salem has said Terry needs to show more consistency, and Terry is quick to agree.

"I never feel like I make the right play every time, but I always try to," Terry said. "No one is perfect."

***

No one denies that Penn State?s James Franklin can recruit. Now, his first group of signees from when he arrived is primed to play big roles in 2016. This is when we finally get to start to judge Franklin and his ability to woo and develop talent.

Guys like DE Torrence Brown, WR Saeed Blacknall and S Marcus Allen should be stars this fall ? at least that?s the hope.

***

Well, it?s official: Spike Albrecht will play his final season at Purdue.

He is still getting over knee surgery but will be with the team when it plays in Spain in August. Albrecht will bring a veteran presence to a point guard spot that too often is pedestrian for this program.

***

Good to see former Nebraska defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski has a new job as a regional director for a medical transport company in South Carolina. The company was founded by former Baylor coach Dave Roberts.

Kaczenski — who was part of Bo Pelini's staff at NU that was fired after the 2014 season — hasn't closed the door on returning to coaching. He says he was "really close" to taking a coaching job before Roberts' offer came along.

***

Cleveland.com looks at why it?s harder for Ohio prospects to earn an offer from the Buckeyes.

You see Urban Meyer and his staff firing off scholarship offers to young players all over the country, but it's rare for those same types of offers to go out to Ohio prospects. There's a reason for that strategy.

"Sometimes you have to offer a guy early (who is) out of state to get in the game," Meyer said. "I leave more up to the position coaches who understand that area. If you want to get in the game, sometimes you have to do that. I won't say it's positive or negative.

"But in-state you've just gotta be very cautious. Because when that offer goes out, you can't pull it. You're in it. Out of state, if you offer a guy, and he has a bunch of other offers, than you can just kind of move on. In Ohio, you have to be very careful."

This all makes perfect sense to me.

***

New Minnesota A.D. Mark Coyle will make a handsome salary. How handsome? Try $850,000 per year handsome.

***

This is good news for Rutgers: Chris Ash expects Kemoko Turay to be ready for camp after battling injury.

Turay missed all of spring practice after undergoing two surgeries on his right shoulder this winter. Turay spent every spring practice riding an exercise bike while wearing a sling on his right arm. RU needs his pass rush off the edge.

"He's gone through some stuff. It's no secret," Ash said. "He had end-of-season issues and they've been taken care of and he's in rehab and everything like that. But everybody that missed any time, we fully anticipate them to all be back by the time we start camp."

***

Email Tom Dienhart using the form below.

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.