How the odd, awkward matchup of Jerry Kill vs. P.J. Fleck came to be - Andy Greder

[Iceland12]

But how did this game come about?

Former Gophers Athletics Director Norwood Teague is to thank for this matchup — although neither he nor anyone could have foreseen the twists and turns to set up this awkward moment more than a decade later. The disgraced AD entered into the contract in 2009 with then-New Mexico State AD McKinley Boston, who held the same role at Minnesota from 1991-95.

The deal, according to a data records request from the U athletics department, was amended in 2012 when Kill was in his second season at Minnesota and again in 2015 when he was in his final year at the U.

The two-games series originally was set for Aug. 30, 2018 and Sept. 3, 2020, with NMSU to receive $800,000 after the first game, which went off without a hitch, and then a $250,000 payday after the second.

In 2017, P.J. Fleck’s first season at the U, newer Gophers AD Mark Coyle and NMSU AD Mario Moccia moved the date of the second game in the series from 2020 to Thursday. Kill was hired by New Mexico State last November...

Two other pre-existing contracts with Power Five conference schools won’t do Kill’s team any favors later this season. The Aggies play at Wisconsin on Sept. 17 and at Missouri on Nov. 19. …

Gophers football: How the odd, awkward matchup of Jerry Kill vs. P.J. Fleck came to be

Grab you popcorn, those pre- and postgame interactions at Huntington Bank Stadium might hold drama, even if it’s don’t-blink brief.

www.twincities.com

 

[Iceland12]

"New Mexico State’s current roster has one Minnesotan, former Hill-Murray athlete Rashad McKinley of St. Paul. The true freshman defensive back did not play against Nevada. Hill-Murray’s coach is Rob Reeves, who was the tight ends coach at Minnesota under Kill."

 

[short ornery norwegian]

it is interesting how far in advance some of these games are scheduled.

with the current conference re-alignment taking place, that has to have an impact on scheduling - especially if some of the new power conferences decide to play more conference games in the future.

not being a lawyer, I have to wonder what happens to some of these contracts.

If the Gophers have a game with Podunk State scheduled for 2029, but the new "Big 20" conference schedule creates a conflict, then what does that mean in terms of payouts and re-scheduling?

 

[RolGnav]

This is a Game of Thrones plot... The prophecy will be complete if Jon Snow defeats the Night King. The Night King was once among the Living, but was turned a few years ago when the White Walkers came to town.

 

[Ski U Master]

it is interesting how far in advance some of these games are scheduled.

with the current conference re-alignment taking place, that has to have an impact on scheduling - especially if some of the new power conferences decide to play more conference games in the future.

not being a lawyer, I have to wonder what happens to some of these contracts.

If the Gophers have a game with Podunk State scheduled for 2029, but the new "Big 20" conference schedule creates a conflict, then what does that mean in terms of payouts and re-scheduling?

I'm sure it's all covered in the contract.