Jack Be Nimble

February 20th, 2019 at 12:35 AM ^

I think that's the main issue. It's one thing for a stranger to come in, clean out the previous coaching staff, and talk about changing the culture. It's another thing entirely when it's a guy you worked with before. I think Kill was expecting Fleck, who after all was a member of his coaching tree, to be a little nicer when dealing with Claeys and his staff, who were also members of the Kill tree.

And it's not even like things were bad when Fleck arrived. They had gone 9-4 the previous year. But he and the AD acted like they were building the program up from nothing. If Fleck wins, I suppose none of this matters to anyone other than Kill and Claeys, but I can understand why the previous staff was not happy about the way things went down.

Perkis-Size Me

February 20th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^

Things actually were kind of bad when Fleck arrived. Not Penn State bad or anything of that magnitude, but they had that big sexual assault situation with ~ 10 of their football players and then Claeys voiced his support in the remaining players threatening to boycott the Holiday Bowl in supporting those players. Not saying he was right or wrong either way in his actions, but in the #metoo era, taking an action like that threatening career suicide.

So no, Fleck was by no means walking into a smoldering crater like Bill O'Brien did in Happy Valley, but it was a pleasant situation he was walking into, either. 

bdneely4

February 20th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^

I always felt a little sorry for Kill because of his health issues and thought he was a decent guy, but what good is he doing for the team and/or university by coming out and basically bashing the current head coach?

I always find it amusing when a former coach or player comes out a good time later after they have left the program and spews negativity.  It is usually never a good look nor productive even if they mean well.

Hold This L

February 19th, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^

He always kind of came off as a prick. I don’t know him personally obviously. He’s probably nice and would be very polite in person, but he comes off as an ego guy. 

Gentleman Squirrels

February 19th, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^

I always liked Jerry Kill and rooted for him through his health problems. But I don't think Fleck is wrong that there was a culture problem when he came in. There were 10 students accused of sexual assault when he was hired and Tracy Claeys was fired because of that. Fleck is a bit of an asshat on the field though. 

andidklein

February 20th, 2019 at 8:04 AM ^

Yes. Both Claeys and Kill are assholes. That defense repeatedly headhunted, and not just against Michigan. That’s Claeys D and he is a POS for encouraging that. Kill sucks ass for hiring Claeys in the first place. Special place in hell for both of them.