Coach Kill suffers another seizure

[Snag]

Where can I get a Leidner jersey?

[Big Dave2]

Why? He has seizures, so what? The team is 4-1, so it does not appear to be affecting his ablilty negativley.

Get back to me when they beat a Big 10 team.

[Big Dave2]

Where can I get a Leidner jersey?

You can probably have the one he was wearing today after that last interception.

[Big Dave2]

There are 3 good reasons why Kill should step down.

1. For his own health. Obviously the pressure and stress of game day is causing him problems. Time to move on to something less stressful.

2. For the good of the program. His game day seizures will only make a hard recruiting job even harder.

3. He was more than likely going to fail and be replaced within the next 3-4 years anyway. He might as well go out with the mystique of not knowing for sure if he really would have been the only coach in the last 35 years to turn this program around. He can blame it on the seizures and go out with dignity, not how Brewster went out.

[zepman]

I think he'll be asked to assume another role within the program or athletics department and then have the two coordinators take over the program...Claeys, being the one to assume the head job.

Or which ever one assumes that responsibility when he's "out".

[LMITOUT]

I get the feeling that Kill would never use his medical issue as an excuse for his job performance, not publicly anyway.

Where is the line when his problem is or isn't acceptable? One seizure per season? Two per season? I think that it would be one thing if it happened during the week and didn't directly affect game day activities, but when they happen in-game or right before they are scheduled to leave as this one did then it is a problem that might have to be addressed more than 'we have protocols in place for when this happens', etc.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

I agree LMIT... I feel bad for the guy but i dont really know what else to say. If i were him i wouldnt want to coach a division 1 big ten football program, especially the gophers, for my own health and well being...

[Big Dave2]

I get the feeling that Kill would never use his medical issue as an excuse for his job performance, not publicly anyway.

I never meant to say that Kill would use his medical condition as an excuse for job performance, I meant it as he could use it as an excuse for leaving and end up with an "honorable discharge" rather than how every other coach has left the U since Lou Holtz.

[LMITOUT]

Same difference.

[Big Dave2]

Quote:

Some uncomfortable questions need to be asked regarding Jerry Kill

by Phil Mackey

1500ESPN.com

This is complicated.

The seizure Jerry Kill suffered at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday is now the fourth documented seizure he has suffered either during or shortly after a game during his 22 games as coach at Minnesota.

It feels like many topics in 2013 are left for black-and-white debate, thanks to the media culture we currently live in. Kill's seizures are anything but black-and-white.

Personally, I have enjoyed Kill as a person in our interactions, I like Kill as a coach to this point, and I think he has the program on the right track. His recent willingness to open up about his epilepsy and to help spread the word and raise money is noble and admirable.

I am, by no means, suggesting Jerry Kill should step down or be asked to stop coaching.

I am suggesting that Saturday's episode warrants further discussion. A lot of discussion. And some potentially uncomfortable questions.

Are Kill's seizures kind of life-threatening, not very life-threatening... or...? For the people who point out that epileptic seizures are not usually life-threatening, many others have countered with facts from EpilepsyFoundation.org that show anywhere between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 150 people with epilepsy can die unexpectedly. People in that 1-in-150 group, however, probably aren't under the supervision of one of the top doctors in the country - as Kill reportedly is. So, what are Kill's odds? 1 in 300? 1 in 900? At what point is the increased stress of coaching a Big 10 football game on the sidelines not worth the risk?

If Kill doesn't think the seizures are a problem, should his opinion trump all others'? To me, this is way bigger than, "Well, Jerry feels like the seizures aren't an issue, so let's all move on," which is sort of the message the U of M athletic department was pushing on Saturday. Kill is a highly-paid state employee, and his job is very public. He is the face of a Big 10 football program, and whether it's fair or not, his health -- and the perception of his health -- plays a huge role in recruiting, the day-to-day operations of the program, etc. Let's face it, when ESPN.com's top headline on Saturday afternoon is about Kill's seizure, it has become a national PR conversation. Not a "problem," necessarily (maybe yes, maybe no), but a conversation that warrants more depth. But right now, the Gophers are known more for the health issues of Kill than for anything they have accomplished on the field.

Are seizures preventing Kill from doing his job to the full capacity? Unfortunately, the evidence suggests yes - at least in the sense that he is missing large chunks of games, and perhaps practices. We don't have full details about whether or not he misses more time behind the scenes. Now, on the flip side of the argument, if Kill manages to push this program forward despite operating at less than full speed (due to seizures), does it become a non-issue?

If the ultimate goal is to get to a BCS Bowl, what happens if Kill suffers a seizure at the Rose Bowl? If the U of M's answer is, "We don't care. He's our guy," then so be it. If the answer is, "We don't want that to happen," then adjustments probably need to be made. Of course, this question is paradoxical because it suggests Kill will have built the Gophers into a Rose Bowl-caliber team -- thus validating the decision to grind through the health issues.

How do Kill's seizures affect recruiting? We'd be fools to think there aren't assistants at competing schools whispering about Kill's health issues to potential recruits. Mudslinging happens in recruiting, just like in politics. Hell, imagine if a state governor suffered epileptic seizures in public forums - say, in a televised debate. Even though the seizures might not be life-threatening, they could (and probably would) certainly affect voters' decisions. For what it's worth, U of M commit Gaelin Elmore tweeted Saturday, "Still love Coach Kill! Can't wait to play for him. Great coach. Even better person." Of course, it's unlikely any recruits would tweet anything negative.

Should Kill's role be adjusted? I think what I would propose is this (and I say "I think" because this is not a black-and-white issue): Have Kill coach from the booth. I'm certainly not a doctor, but common sense says the stress level would likely go down, as he wouldn't be stuck in the middle of all the hustle and bustle on the sideline. That seems like a fair proposition. If that doesn't work - and if the U of M still deems him the man they want running the program -- maybe there's a way he can oversee the football program while somebody else operates the game-day coaching duties (see: Joe Paterno).

[Big Dave2]

Same difference.

Not really.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, it is.

If it goes down that way I'm sure some folks will use that as an excuse, but I don't think he will.

[zepman]

I don't think they'll let him go(fire him)...he and his staff have a strong history together...super strong as far as longevity goes in the college ranks. You just don't see a staff stay together this long anywhere...there's a reason for this.

His condition IS a problem...I just think they'll keep this "staff" together and keep building...at least for a few more years.

I don't know what roll Kill will have going forward but I can't see it as head coach anymore...

I feel for the guy...and his staff.

It's apparent, as he's aging, the seizures are coming more frequently...stress induced most likely. Take him out of that envirnment and put him in the box...make him an advisor to the newly named head coach from his own staff. He'd realize why the change needed to be made while still able to contribute almost as much as before.

Let him do these things:

-recruit

-game-plan

-fundraise

-player evaluation

Get him out of:

-sideline situations

-gameday decisions

-media functions

-total control of the team

Or...you could just fire the whole bunch and start all over again. I, for one, hope they don't.

[JBMasterAngler]

It's not fair for the players mentally, when right before you head for a big game you learn your coach just had a seizure. Or worse, during a game! Getting coached on game day by the assistants (no matter how good they are) puts you at a disadvantage! Kill needs to go!

[zepman]

I played college football for 5 years and was never once "coached" during a game by my "head coach". It's all about the coordinators and position coaches come game day.

A head coach will have complete control over game-time situations but it's likely we could all make those decisions given the opportunity.

The game plan has been set for days ahead of the actual game...the coordinators call the plays...the positional coaches "coach" the players and the head coach listens to it all on his head-sets.

Kill is motivational, at best, on gamedays. As is every head coach in the country who doesn't assume the play calling responsibilities come game time. To say that his "assistants" can't run the team on game day without him is just plain wrong.

[BuckSutherland]

What are they in, year three??? And they still have zero meaningful wins! It is time for this silly-me and his worthless staff to go. They have done nothing under Kill and they never will. The U probably likes it when he flops around on the sideline cause its the only way they can make it into the national news. Take one good look at his face and you can see he is not healthy at all. You would be doing him a favor to fire him. Gopher football sure as hell isn't worth dying for. Of course the University has no balls though so the worthlessness will continue for years to come.

[bbfenatic]

They should give Kill the option of an "Advisory" role or something like that and give his top assistant the head job so the players have a consistent Head Coach. I think his "program" and overall Philosophy is good and his staff seems solid. They still lack the quality players IMO to compete in the Big 10 but they are improved over the recent teams back to Mason whom they should have given a "lifetime" extension to IMO.

[Big Dave2]

Yeah, it is.

If it goes down that way I'm sure some folks will use that as an excuse, but I don't think he will.

If he were to resign at the end of the season, what would he cite as the reason? Are you suggesting that he would say he is just tired of Gopher football and wants to go home? If his health condition is not the reason, what would it be?

Urban Meyer had no problems using "health reasons" for an excuse to skip out of Florida.

[Big Dave2]

I played college football for 5 years and was never once "coached" during a game by my "head coach". It's all about the coordinators and position coaches come game day.

Tell that to anyone who has ever played for Nick Saban.

[LMITOUT]

If he were to resign at the end of the season, what would he cite as the reason?

That's not what you were implying in your original post. But you know that, don't you, and just want to twist this into Big Dave's alternate reality again.

[Big Dave2]

There are 3 good reasons why Kill should step down.

1. For his own health. Obviously the pressure and stress of game day is causing him problems. Time to move on to something less stressful.

2. For the good of the program. His game day seizures will only make a hard recruiting job even harder.

3. He was more than likely going to fail and be replaced within the next 3-4 years anyway. He might as well go out with the mystique of not knowing for sure if he really would have been the only coach in the last 35 years to turn this program around. He can blame it on the seizures and go out with dignity, not how Brewster went out.

[LMITOUT]

It's clearly obvious:

He might as well go out with the mystique of not knowing for sure if he really would have been the only coach in the last 35 years to turn this program around. He can blame it on the seizures and go out with dignity, not how Brewster went out.

[Big Dave2]

It's clearly obvious:

[Big Dave2]

Quote:

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill takes leave for epilepsy

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports 4 p.m. EDT October 10, 2013

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill will continue to take time away from the team "to focus on his treatment and better manage his epilepsy," the university said Thursday in a statement, adding that defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will again act as the Golden Gophers' interim coach until Kill "is ready to return."

Kill missed last weekend's 42-13 loss to Michigan after suffering a seizure early Saturday morning. This was Kill's fifth seizure-related episode since taking the Minnesota job following the 2010 season and second of 2013, with the previous episode occurring just after halftime of the Gophers' win against New Mexico State on Sept. 7.

"Kill will remain in very close contact with the team and his staff and provide direction and support as needed," athletic director Norwood Teague said. "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."

While Kill has dealt with epilepsy for more than a decade, going back to his time on the Football Championship Subdivision level, last Saturday marked the first time he had missed an entire game due to the illness.

"Norwood Teague and Coach Kill are managing this health situation, as it relates to our football program, in the most straightforward and caring manner possible," university president Eric Kaler said. "They are acting in the best interests of this University, its alumni and fans and, most importantly, the student-athletes who have placed their trust in us. I eagerly look forward to Coach Kill's return and wish him all the best."

In a statement, Kill called his time away 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," he said. "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."

Minnesota is 4-2 heading into Saturday's Big Ten road game at Northwestern. Minnesota went 3-9 in 2011, its first season under Kill, but reached the Meineke Car Care Bowl a season ago.

[LABS4ME]

Get back to me when they beat a Big 10 team.

Getting back to you...