5 Replacements For Jerry Kill As Golden Gophers Coach

[caption id="attachment_32395" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnMinnesota football coach Jerry Kill, due to health concerns, announced his retirement on Wednesday morning. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will take over as interim head coach for the rest of this season, as he has done before when Kill dealt with complications related to epilepsy.rnrnLooking beyond the end of the season, here are five potential long-term replacements for Kill as Golden Gophers head coach.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32397" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 5. Tracy Claeys rnrnThis list has to included Claeys, Kill's long-time defensive coordinator. The Gophers have a tough stretch of games coming, starting Saturday night against Michigan, so wins and losses may not be the best indicator of how Claeys is doing as head coach.rnrnIn the interest of continuity, at least in terms of next year's recruiting class, Claeys may have the interim tag removed from his title at some point.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32399" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 4. Troy Calhoun, Head Coach, Air Force rnrnCalhoun has an excellent record at Air Force, with a 63-47 record (4-3 this season) and seven bowl appearances in eight full seasons to this point. He has an offensive acumen as well, including time in the NFL with the Denver Broncos (2003-2005) and Houston Texans (2006), which should appeal to Minnesota.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32401" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 3. Matt Canada, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, N.C. State rnrnCanada has Big Ten and Midwestern roots, as an Indiana alum with coaching experience at his alma mater, Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. His work with a potential NFL prospect in N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett should be noted, and Minnesota's coaching search should include a call to Canada's representation.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32403" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 2. Tom Herman, Head Coach, Houston rnrnHerman has led Houston to a 7-0 record so far this season, his first at the school after serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State from 2012-2014. If the Cougars keep winning Herman will be a popular candidate for all the head coaching openings that have already come this season, but he has to be on Minnesota's wish list now.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32405" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 1. Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Toledo rnrnToledo is 7-0 and nationally ranked right now, and Campbell has a 33-13 record during his tenure as head coach. Minnesota had success with a coach coming out of the MAC when they hired Kill, and Campbell is young enough at 35 (36 on Nov. 29) to be a long-term answer.rnrn[related-category][fsdaily]

Gold and Gopher

5 Potential Replacements For Jerry Kill as Golden Gophers Football Coach

Newsletter

Your Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Your Inbox. Every Day.