Jerry Kill Named Kansas State's Associate Athletic Director

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill is headed to Kansas State to serve as the associate athletic director in charge of football, a source told WCCO's Mike Max.

Kill stepped down from his position as head coach in October 2015, citing health issues. Kill said his struggles with epilepsy had become too difficult to continue.

The team went 5-7 in 2015 under the direction of interim head coach Tracy Claeys. Claeys was named head coach and signed a three year contract in November.

After his announcement, the University of Minnesota said they hoped to keep Kill with the team in some capacity.

On Tuesday morning, the school confirmed Kill's hiring, and released statements from him.

"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," he 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."

The school pointed out that in his last four coaching jobs, he never left with less than a .500 seasonal record.

Just a couple weeks ago, the Minutemen presented Kill with a "Man of the Year" award at a roast, and Mike Max was a part of that.