Twitter: Minnesota football family reacts to Jerry Kill's retirement

Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill announced his retirement, effective immediately, Wednesday morning in a press conference.

[ MORE: Dienhart: Kill was one of game's best coaches, people ]

The 54-year-old Kill went 29-29 in four and a half seasons with the Golden Gophers and finishes his coaching career with a 156-102 record.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys, who has worked with Kill for the last 21 years, has been named interim head coach. Claeys filled in for Kill during his seven-game leave of absence in 2013, leading the Gophers to a 4-3 record with wins against Northwestern, Nebraska, Penn State and Indiana.

Kill signed a contract extension in August that increased his pay to $2.5 million per season. The contract includes language that plans for any health-related absences and would also allow him to ?transition? to another position in the athletic department at a substantially reduced salary.

There was plenty of Twitter reaction to Kill's retirement, and you can see it in the tweets below.

Minnesota football family:

Jerry Kill will always be more than a football coach to me. He made me a better person. I love that man from the bottom of my heart.

— Peter Mortell (@PMortell1) October 28, 2015

Wow that's was a hard press conference to watch! Wish all the best for Coach Kill and his family.

— Zac Epping (@Epp_52) October 28, 2015

Love ya coach #GopherStrong??

— Donnell Kirkwood? (@Dkirkwood_UND) October 28, 2015

Forever Jerrysota ??

— Eric Carter (@EricIckyCarter) October 28, 2015

Have The Upmost Respect For Coach Kill! Know It May Be Hard To Do But It's The Right Thing! Much Love! Prayers For Him AND His Family! ??

— ??WeezyDaDon?? (@DerrickWells_3) October 28, 2015

One hell of a man. Words can't describe what coach kill has meant to so many. We love you coach!

— Drew Goodger (@goodgergopher83) October 28, 2015

Love and appreciate coach Kill. Gave me an opportunity 2 get an education and play 4 a prestigious university. Couldn't help but cry today.

— Rodney Smith (@Numerouno1_) October 28, 2015

One of the greatest men I've ever met. Love you coach! Coaching or not, I know you will continue touching lives! pic.twitter.com/7xikCcq6fZ

— Ced (@cedbyme) October 28, 2015

?the man made Minnesota something to be proud of being apart of it will forever be #Jerrysota pic.twitter.com/OL1n9b9UzI

— Damien Wilson (@dwilson_6) October 28, 2015

Forever grateful. Thank you coach! ??

— HERCULES (@DCobb27) October 28, 2015

And other reaction:

We wish you nothing but the best, Coach Kill. #HatsOff pic.twitter.com/6Tz83Op8tU

— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) October 28, 2015

It is sad to see Jerry Kill step aside for @GopherFootball. The guy was one of the best coaches I had ever been around.

— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) October 28, 2015

Coach Kill. A great coach but a better man. Love ya Coach.

— Bill Cubit (@CoachCubit) October 28, 2015

Saddened to see the news that Jerry Kill is retiring for health reasons. Have a lot of respect for the job he did at Minnesota.

— Kevin Kugler (@kevinkugler) October 28, 2015

There are some people who make "work" a joy. Jerry Kill is one of em. Sad to see him retire; CFB needs more like him pic.twitter.com/rSoFjaRBWN

— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) October 28, 2015

Always admired Coach Kill, seemed like a great coach & even better person. Sad to see him leave the B1G, wish him nothing but the best.

— Dan Persa (@dan_persa7) October 28, 2015

Favorite thing Jerry Kill ever told me: "Even my daughters call me 'Coach.'"

— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) October 28, 2015

Jerry Kill resigns due to health concerns. Some things are way more important than football. Get healthy coach!

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) October 28, 2015

Jerry Kill will always be an incredible success story. He willed himself from absolutely NOWHERE to the B10. And he never changed.

— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) October 28, 2015

Jerry Kill says God put him on Earth to be a coach. He hopes now he figures something out for him to do.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) October 28, 2015

All the best to Jerry Kill and his family. Damn good coach. Good luck to @GopherFootball their kids and coaches.

— Tom Luginbill ?? ? (@TomLuginbill) October 28, 2015