Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill encourages his players during warmups as the University of Minnesota played Western Illinois at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 14, 2013. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Gophers football coach Jerry Kill rested at home instead of going into his office Sunday after missing Saturday's 42-13 loss at Michigan because of a seizure.
Kill, who has epilepsy, suffered his fifth game-day seizure with the Gophers and second this season Saturday morning. The third-year coach missed his first game because of the condition, but Kill's assistants are not concerned that his health is getting worse.
"The fact that they were adjusting his medication was the key to this whole thing," Claeys, Minnesota's defensive coordinator, said Sunday. "The medication he was on, he kind of knew how his body was going to react. Since they changed it, that's what made it frustrating because you don't always know how your body is going to react. That's why they thought it wasn't smart to get on a plane in that situation."
Claeys said Kill's epilepsy specialist, Dr. Ilo Leppik, expressed confidence that they are making progress.
"All I can go by is his doctor, who they say is one of the best," Claeys said. "He claims that when he gets his medication regulated, they'll have great control over this. That's all I know. Every time it happens, it's a bad thing it happens. But in his doctor's eyes, he's getting closer to being able to control the situation."
Redshirt freshman tight end Maxx Williams was not concerned that his coach missed an entire game for the first time because of his seizure. Claeys took over Kill's role in the press box Saturday. Defensive line coach Jeff Phelps acted as the coach on the field, assuming the duties that had been handled in the past by defensive backs/special teams coach Jay Sawvel.
"Coach just has to get better," Williams said. "He'll work through it. He's a tough guy. It won't affect any of the team. We'll go in (Sunday), watch the game, get everything fixed and go on like normal. We'll go through this bye week, get everybody healed up and get ready for this next game."
A few players expressed disappointment Saturday that they weren't able to win the Little Brown Jug trophy for Kill.
"Even not being here, he inspires us so much," senior safety Brock Vereen said. "I mean, he's going through so much, and we know deep down he wants to be here more than anything. It's hurting him not be here. That's motivation to play harder. Unfortunately, we don't get to bring that jug back to him. But we know he'll be all right."
Claeys was asked how many practices Kill has missed since he started having reoccurring seizures nearly a decade ago. Kill's longtime assistant said it only happened a handful of times.
After a major seizure on the sideline against New Mexico State in 2011, Kill didn't get released from the hospital until Thursday, but he went straight to practice. He isn't expected to miss any of the four practices this week for the Gophers, who play Oct. 17 at Northwestern after a bye.
"The guy loves to coach football," Claeys said. "As soon as he gets back on the field again, he turns into a pretty positive person in a hurry. All of us, when times get tough, we all feel sorry for ourselves for a little bit. It's human nature. But he bounces back in a hurry. He usually has more energy when he gets back."
Briefly
The Gophers would be without four defensive backs if they played this week. Cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun already was out for the season with a knee injury. But safety Cedric Thompson (head), cornerback Derrick Wells (shoulder) and cornerback Martez Shabazz (knee) were banged up against Michigan. Thompson and wide receiver Derrick Engel will have concussion tests Tuesday.
Henry Bromell veep Brian Hoyer nfl standings bob newhart aldon smith CJ Spiller
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.