Q&A: Former Gophers coach Tracy Claeys on Jerry Kill’s return Thursday, P.J. Fleck, and more

Former Gophers football head coach and defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys spoke with KSTP’s Darren ‘Doogie’ Wolfson.

The main talking point was Jerry Kill’s return to Minnesota Thursday night when his New Mexico State Aggies take on the Gophers. Claeys and Kills are close friends, having come together to Minnesota in 2011. Claeys was Kill’s defensive coordinator then shifted to head coach when health reasons caused Kill to walk away.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Claeys***

Claeys posted an 11-8 record with back-to-back bowl victories as head coach at Minnesota after taking over the program in November 2015.

Claeys led the Gophers to a memorable Holiday Bowl win in December 2016, just days after the team threatened to boycott the game. They finished 9-4, the most wins for a Gophers team since 2003. Since then, P.J. Fleck’s Gophers won 11 games in 2019, the most for the school since 1904.