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Gophers Coach Tracy Claeys Carrying On Jerry Kill's Legacy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Tracy Claeys is hoping the water is not too deep. He spent a few days fishing this summer, but when you're the head coach life is different.

"It was great to win a bowl game for the first time in seven years and be a part of the Quick Lane Bowl but that's not our goal," Claeys said. "We have two goals at the University of Minnesota and that's to win the Big 10 and graduate all our players."

Welcome to Camp Claeys. His team has a new feel because the buck stops with the man in charge.

"I miss the Xs and Os part, I'm not going to lie about that. I enjoy doing that," said Claeys. "Now I get to watch the video and I know what's going on and I make suggestions. But both Jay and Jay I guess you'd call them, they've done a great job of putting things together."

He is to an extent an extension of Jerry Kill, a father figure to be sure. A lot alike and a little different.

"There's not much difference because him and coach Kill they kind of have the same traits," said one Gophers player. "I'd say coach Claeys is a little bit more aggressive. He'll make sure that we're going to be tough. Make sure that everybody on the team, that's the main thing he wants to get across, is everybody being tough.

That's the idea. Be tough, be prepared, be better.

"Him and coach Kill definitely have different approaches to things, but ultimately they have the same goal in mind," said tight end Brandon Lingen. "It wasn't that big of a turnover between the two. I love playing for coach Claeys just like I loved playing for coach Kill and I'd do anything to help those guys win."

Claeys comes from the defensive side of the ball. That's the identity he wants.

"I'll never believe it should be played like say in the '50s or in the '40s. It would be time for me to go somewhere else. I don't think it should be like indoor arena football at all. But it's getting harder to play defense, there's no question about that."

That's a little like what he wants the offense to look like under him – aggressive and hungry up front.

"We try to be more physical, more aggressive with the blocking schemes and running plays," said another Gophers player. "We just try to be like the defense, getting in the grit and dirt and try to go hard every time."

Yes, it's now Claeys' team. All he has to do is be a CEO to his assistants.

"What I miss of that part, the Xs and Os, I do like the idea of trying to be a resource for both of them and being able to help on both sides of the ball."

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