BTN.com staff, October 10, 2013
Minnesota announced today that head football coach Jerry Kill is continuing to take time to focus on his treatment and better manage his Epilepsy. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will serve as the acting head coach when Kill is away. Teague and Claeys will address the media at 4:15 p.m. ET today in the postgame press conference room at TCF Bank Stadium, accoridng to a statement from the school.
Here is the full statement from Kill himself: ?My wife Rebecca, myself and our two daughters want to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns during the last few weeks. This was a difficult decision to make, but the right decision.
"Our staff has been together a long time and I have full confidence in Coach Claeys and them during my time away. Every decision that will be made will be in the best interest of the players and the program. I look forward to returning to the Minnesota sideline on a full-time basis soon.?
[ MORE: Tom Dienhart reacts to Jerry Kill announcement ]
Minnesota Schedule 2013 | ||||
Date | Opponent | Result / Time | ||
8/29 | vs. UNLV | W 51 – 23 | ||
9/7 | at New Mexico State | W 44 – 21 | ||
9/14 | vs. Western Illinois | W 29 – 12 | ||
9/21 | vs. San Jose State | W 43 – 24 | ||
9/28 | vs. Iowa | L 7 – 23 | ||
10/5 | at 19 Michigan | L 13 – 42 | ||
10/19 | at 19 Northwestern | 12:00 ET | ||
10/26 | vs. Nebraska | TBA | ||
11/2 | at Indiana | 3:30 ET | ||
11/9 | vs. Penn State | TBA | ||
11/23 | vs. Wisconsin | TBA | ||
11/30 | at Michigan State | TBA |
Listen Claeys' Tuesday teleconference here:
Here is the full statement from Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague: ?Coach Kill is taking time to continue treatment and focus on managing his Epilepsy. Tracy Claeys will serve as the interim head coach until Coach Kill is ready to return. Coach Kill will remain in very close contact with the team and his staff and provide direction and support as needed. Our support for Coach Kill is unwavering and we look forward to his return to full-time coaching duties.
?This is a great group of student-athletes under the guidance of one of the longest-tenured and most respected staffs in college football, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to move this program forward and make us proud.?
Teague recently said ?no question? that Jerry Kill is Minnesota's head coach.
Here's the tweet with the link to the full announcement.
Release: Jerry Kill is continuing to take time to focus on his treatment and better manage his Epilepsy http://t.co/PnhDg6GMUR #Gophers
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) October 10, 2013
Here are some more reaction tweets:
Best wishes to @GopherFootball HC Jerry Kill, who is taking leave to attend to health issues. Take care of yourself, Coach! #OneB1GFamily
— True to the Blue (@SupportUofM) October 10, 2013
All the best to Jerry Kill as he takes an indefinite absence. Figured something was up with him missing events the last 3 days. #gophers
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 10, 2013