U Of Minnesota Football Coach Jerry Kill Expected Back On Sideline After Seizure At Game Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS–Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover told Minnesota players that coach Jerry Kill would be back for Wednesday’s practice after suffering a seizure on the sideline in the final minute of Saturday’s 28-21 loss to New Mexico State at TCF Bank Stadium.

On WCCO 830-AM’s Sports Huddle Show on Sunday morning, Limegrover said he told players Kill would be back this week “chewing their tail ends, getting them better to go beat Miami (Ohio).”

Kill was showing signs of improvement and resting comfortably Sunday morning at a local hospital. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys visited Kill on Saturday night and was able to talk to Kill about the incident, Limegrover said.

“When it comes upon him, there’s not much he can do,” Limegrover said. “It’s kind of a perfect storm of circumstances that brought this upon him. Now it’s just about getting the medication he’s on regulated. It’s just getting past the trauma of having the seizure. In the past, it’s been several days of recovery.”

Team doctor Pat Smith said all tests are normal, but it is too early to know when Kill will be released from the hospital. More updates on Kill’s condition will be given today.

“Coach Kill is in good hands and is receiving the very best in medical care,” Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi said in a statement. “Right now the reports we have received from our medical staff are positive, and I am very pleased that he continues to show steady signs of improvement.”

Northern Illinois athletics director Jeff Compher said Kill’s former program sent its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Kill and his family.

“He has many friends here at NIU,” Compher said in a statement, “and I know that our university, our athletic department and our fans join Golden Gophers, Salukis and many, many across the college football world in sending him our best wishes.”

Kill had two seizures before he was diagnosed with kidney cancer while coaching at Southern Illinois in 2005.

“Coach Kill had a similar setback while at Southern Illinois, and he returned to guide our team to a conference championship,” Southern Illinois athletics director Mario Moccia said. “ I fully expect Jerry and his outstanding coaching staff to accomplish great things at Minnesota.”