Ex-Minnesota coach Jerry Kill joins Kansas State, just not as a coach
Jerry Kill, who retired from coaching last season due to health concerns, will not be the head coach-in-waiting behind Bill Snyder

It didn't take long for former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill to get back into college football. It just won't be in the same role.
Kill, who retired from coaching late last October over medical concerns stemming from his epilepsy, has joined Kansas State as the program's associate athletics director for administration. Speaking on a conference call, athletic director John Currie said Kill's deal is for one year at $150,000, but that the deal can "roll over." The duties of Kill's new job weren't explicitely specified.
"We are thrilled that Jerry and Rebecca are coming home to join the K-State family," Currie said in an emailed statement. "He is ready to move into a new chapter of his life and professional career, and his experience as a former head coach will be a terrific addition to our staff. We look forward to the perspective and mentoring he will provide our coaches and student-athletes as we continue toward our vision of a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program."
Perhaps -- no, definitely -- more importantly, Kill will not be the head coach-in-waiting behind 76-year-old Bill Snyder, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN. Kill reiterated in his own statement that he is not getting back into coaching.
"Rebecca and I couldn't be happier to return home to the state of Kansas and join the K-State Athletics family and Manhattan community," Kill said. "I want to make it known that my coaching days are over, and I am excited to start this next phase as an administrator for one of the finest athletics departments in the country.
"Mentoring has always been very important to me, and I am thrilled to work in support of Hall of Fame Coach Bill Snyder and the football program and learn more about the administrative side of college athletics under John and the rest of the first-class staff at K-State."
Kill went 29-29 in nearly five full seasons at Minnesota, winning Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2014. Though nothing has been announced officially, it's obvious that Snyder won't be around to coach much longer. Snyder has gone on the record to say he wants his son, Wildcats associate head coach Sean Snyder, to succeed him.
Still, if we're purely playing the hypothetical game, it's hard to imagine a better fit at K-State than Kill. He's won at some difficult places, never left a program in bad shape, and is among the more well-liked and respected guys in the business. The fact he's a Kansas native doesn't hurt, either.
A man can only dream, though.
















