After four and a half seasons in Minnesota, Jerry Kill has decided to retire and hang up his whistle, citing health reasons.
Minnesota has officially announced the move.
Kill, who took a leave of absence a few years ago to focus on epilepsy treatment, had a record of 29-29 at Minnesota, including back-to-back 8-5 campaigns in 2013 and 2014. The 2014 season saw coach Kill earn Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
The Gophers, who have been to three straight bowls under Kill's guidance, were off to a 4-3 start to this season, and are set to face off against Michigan this weekend in Minneapolis.
Before taking the job at Minnesota, Kill served as a successful head coach at Saginaw Valley State (D-II - MI), Emporia State (D-II - NY), Southern Illinois (FCS), and Northern Illinois. It's safe to say that Kill left each and every one of those programs in much better shape than they were when he and his staff arrived.
Overall, Kill has a career record of 156-102 as a head coach.
Associate head coach / defensive coordinator, and longtime assistant under Kill, Tracy Claeys (who has filled in for Kill during various health related incidents over the years) will step into the interim head coaching role. Claeys served as acting head coach for a total of seven games during the 2013 season, and has been a member of Kill's staff for 21 seasons.
Take a look at the remaining schedule for Minnesota and coach Claeys.
Join us in hoping that this time away from the sideline will help Kill get as healthy as humanly possible. He certainly deserves it.
Minnesota is the eighth program with a head coaching opening as we approach November. The other programs are Illinois, Maryland, North Texas, South Carolina, Miami, USC, and Central Florida.
As always, stayed tuned to The Scoop for the latest.