The rumors are starting to circulate around Gophers football coach Jerry Kill. Kill is being mentioned as one of the top candidates to replace Bo Pelini at the University of Nebraska, who was fired over the weekend.
Kill, whose Gophers finished 8-4 and beat Nebraska for the second straight year, just completed his fourth season at Minnesota. The Gophers are coming off a 34-24 loss to Wisconsin to finish just short of a Big Ten West Division Title.
Some logical possible Nebraska candidates: Scott Frost, Jim McElwain, Jerry Kill, Pat Narduzzi, Craig Bohl
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 30, 2014
In four seasons, Kill is 25-25, but the program has grown in each of his four seasons and climbed into contention for an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game this season. The Pioneer Press’ Marcus Fuller doesn’t think the Gophers have a lot to worry about right now, though.
“From Minnesota’s standpoint, it has nothing to worry about in my opinion as long as Gophers athletics director Norwood Teague continues to show progress with raising money for the $190 million facilities project, mainly getting what he needs to break ground on the new indoor practice field next spring.”
Nebraska would be a different challenge for Kill. Minnesota hasn’t reached nine wins in a single season yet, while Pelini was fired after a 9-3 season.
There have been a lot of other names connected to the Nebraska job along with Kill’s.
https://twitter.com/SIPeteThamel/status/539094597943562241
Another serious candidate for the job could be former North Dakota State Coach Craig Bohl. According to FOX Sports, either Kill or Bohl’s styles play well at Nebraska.
“Kill’s 53 – probably younger than most assume – and has led the Gophers to an 8-4 season that included a win in Lincoln last week and his success in the Big Ten won’t go overlooked.
“The 56-year-old Bohl, a former NU DB, won three national titles at North Dakota State with a bruising style that mirrored what he’d learned in Lincoln. He took the Wyoming job last winter and went 4-8. I’m told he did decline some other interest for FBS jobs, but would he be able to pass up the Huskers? Doubt it.”
