Jerry Kill reluctantly retired as Gophers head football coach, announcing Monday that his doctor recommended him to get away from coaching in order to live a healthier life.
Kill, who admitted to having two seizures as recently as Tuesday, has received an outpouring of support from shocked fans, current and former players and peers.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer offered his support before answering questions during his weekly Wednesday press conference.
“It’s disappointing to have another great coach that you respect and the things he’s done to retire, but in the same token, I’m glad that he had the fortitude to be able to do it when he’s ready to do it or needed to do it,” Zimmer said. “We’re all going to miss him in the Twin Cities and I’m sure all the UM faithful will miss him as well. He’s an awful good football coach.”
Sports Illustrated has an article saying Kill is the perfect example of what’s still good about college sports.
“It is easy to become cynical about college sports, but Kill is a reminder of what they can and should be. He is a man who loves football and has a passion for leaving his players and programs better than he found them. It makes his unexpected retirement all the more tragic, even if it’s unquestionably the correct decision.”
Heartbroken for Coach Kill – a great man, a great leader for the University of Minnesota, and a great representative for our school & state.
— Don Lucia (@mncoachlucia) 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
Coach Kill is an incredible man, and I would have loved to play under his direction. But we committed to a staff and to a team.〽️ #TheEmpire
— Carter Coughlin (@Cmoe34) October 28, 2015
Coach Kill is a remarkable man who sprinkled his majestic personality and football acumen on Gopher Nation. We are all better for it!
— Lee Hutton III (@LeeHuttonIII) October 28, 2015
Our thoughts today are with Coach Kill & the #Gophers. Great man, coach & competitor. #respect https://t.co/yYUqUFRro9
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 28, 2015
So heartbreaking to hear Jerry Kill's presser. His passion and strength is unmatched. He did it the right way. #Gophers
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) October 28, 2015
Governor Mark Dayton releases statement on Jerry Kill's retirement pic.twitter.com/Nbwum86peT
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) October 28, 2015
Love ya coach #GopherStrong💪🏿
— Donnell Kirkwood™ (@Dkirkwood_UND) October 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/MarQueisG/status/659379023848456193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Jerry Kill my heart breaks hearing your words. #Respect
— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) October 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/TyroneCarter954/status/659352642381086720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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
Difficult to lose one of the finest in football. We wish at Coach Jerry Kill the best w/ his health & family. https://t.co/HhdMMxvjSb
— Marlene Stollings (@Stollings) October 28, 2015
