By Mike Max, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – After playing professional baseball for nearly a decade, a former Gopher has come back to Minnesota to help his college team.

Rob Quinlan has rejoined the Gophers after playing eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In his college days, he was a star player who set many Gopher records, but now he plays a different role with the Gophers.

He is the Gopher’s volunteer assistant coach and he is learning to see the game in a new way.

“I’m done playing now, so I thought it would be great for me to come out here and share some of my experiences,” Quinlan said.

The Gopher’s head coach, John Anderson, said they asked him to join the team because of his ability to communicate the game.

“I think he’s got a great understanding of the game, but … he’s got a way of really connecting with people,” Anderson said.

Quinlan isn’t quite ready to call his playing career over, but he is waiting to take the next step. So far, Quinlan still feels comfortable in a baseball uniform.

“It’s been great,” Quinlan said. “I enjoy coming out here and helping these guys out.”