Buckle up folks... this could get ugly. Sources tell me in a few days an article will come out about his real reason for a random retirement in the middle of the season and unfortunately for him isn't going to be pretty

A lot of people nationally know about his radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" with the fictitious town, Lake Wobegon, and the characters.. I think he got his start in Minnesota Public Radio in the late 1960's as a classical music DJ.. Was he famous at the University as well?? Asking to see if any of the old timers knew who he was when he graduated at the University.

Put up some more notes...a lot on cornerbacks.

http://m.startribune.com/claeys-cit...ns-to-fill-gophers-cornerback-void/370283321/

Kill brought with him charisma, energy, spirit, toughness that rubbed off on players and staff. Seemed to have a good gut or sixth sense of knowing what needed to be done to win college football games. Embraceable and embracing.

He also brought instability with his health issues and some stubbornness with his personality.

Claeys is a steady hand and I think is a guy who players and staff seem to respect and trust. Seems like he will give coordinators autonomy. Maybe not as emotionally inspiring as Kill, but Analytical and focused, he should be a good big picture guy who can guide staff and players and program in general.

You hope he stays healthy.

He brought in two guys who seem like they may have a little more of that fire and charisma than their predecessors in Johnson and Miller.

Not sure about OBrien, but sounds like more of an embraceable, embracing type.

Curious to see what Sawvel does given the reins of the defense.

I like the dedicated o line coach.

I like the single play caller and the play caller being a former QB and the QB coach.

Boowhaaaaa on the roulette black tonight. First time I have ever done it and I probably will never again. Flights are now paid for

Richard Pitino and Ben Johnson were at Rochester JM last night to watch Michael and Matthew Hurt.

https://oregon.n.rivals.com/news/oregon-offer-big-for-jesuit-athlete

he was here last Summer for a camp if I remember right

story says he was in msp airport when Ducks offered

Saturday anymore! It just pisses me off.

People work hard during the week, and the gophers on Saturday is the way it should be.

One of those odd-seems-like-it's-made-for-TV Thursday - Friday series starting 2knight.

It's for the Top Of The 'Ten -- here's hoping that Seeler becomes fully engaged tonight (if he can catch one of those fast little buggers in the corner)...

It's possible we could get Illinois in the first round. I like our chances on this one. After that, who knows. What I like is we will be loose and throw caution to the wind. I don't think there is anybody in the BIG that we couldn't knock off. I just don't think there is a team that is invincible. On the women's side, it is possible we get a double bye. The RPI is now #73 . Maryland will be tough, ( I think it is on ESPN 2) but Wisconsin is crap and lost by 6 at Maryland. OSU beat them twice. The ladies right now are the first 4 out, but they've the Banham media hype going for them right now.
I think that could circumvent the high RPI.
Fun time for sure....

Jonathan has been an enigma to me since we signed him. His physical presence is crazy, and makes him one of our more interesting athletes, but I wonder if his weight lifting body is beyond athletic. I am dying to see what happens in spring ball. To see if he can change direction and if he might move somewhere like linebacker. He's listed at 6 foot and 212, but looking at him it seems that either the height is overstated or the weight is too low. Is there a more current tape on him?

Mercifully it is done. The country club atmosphere may be over. It took Yeo months to realize Pominville did not deserve 18+ minutes a night.

Getting this from Russo...

Minnesota has shown interest in Wellman, Iowa defensive end Levi Duwa. Duwa doesn't have any offers, but that's maybe because he goes to a tiny school in Iowa. He was All-State First Team this past year though, and was second place at Iowa's State Tournament in wrestling. Duwa's head coach is apparently supposed to call the Minnesota staff back today about a potential offer to Duwa, so we'll see if it gets extended.

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I've been meaning to start this thread for several weeks since the great British actor Alan Rickman died on Jan. 14th. I've just been endlessly busy so I'm finally getting to this post now.

My post tonight was prompted by a re-airing of one of my favorite movies "Something the Lord Made" (2004) with Alan Rickman and Mos Def. It's a really inspirational story of a black lab assistant in the 30's and 40's who helped Dr. Alfred Blaylock perform the first successful open heart surgeries in the US at Johns Hopkins University. It's based on a true story and is an unbelievable movie and such a powerful story. You really should see this:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386792/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_29

Alan had classical Shakespearean training and the nuances of his work were quite exceptional!!

Alan did so many other wonderful things and his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films was so profound that he nearly took over these movies!!

A wonderful actor and such an intelligent man! God rest your soul Alan Rickman and may you have eternal peace!!!

I still watch Seinfeld reruns on TBS and love them.

Minnesota is now looking at Bolden as a safety, instead of outside linebacker. Dan O'Brien really likes him as a safety and that's where the staff now thinks he'd fit best. O'Brien reached out to Bolden last week or over the weekend, and I think he's still in touch with Sherels a little bit.

Nico was at Iowa State's Junior Day over the weekend and spent a long time in Campbell's office, and Campbell will be calling him some time this week. The Syracuse defensive coordinator has shown some fairly serious interest in him, as well.

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@jjisbooyah - something for you. and for all of us as well.

allegedly the hottest 24 women in college volleyball. you decide. may be time to do some secondary stalking. JJ is just the guy to get it done for the masses.

http://buzzfudge.com/o/968/?utm_med...ce=out_pub&utm_content=1142ff&utm_term=615246

Mid Prairie Community (Iowa) defensive end Levi Duwa picked up a Minnesota offer today, as I said might happen earlier today.

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I think many of us had heard this and now it's confirmed. Best of luck to Alex.

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While in New York Kimani Young offered Williams and a 2018 named Moses Brown. I should say their coaches reported that Minnesota offered. With potential spring recruiting for 2016 and then 2017 having to come first I want to concentrate on Williams. Williams is from Brookyln.

He is a 6-ft-5 player that some said plays point, some say plays the two. Either way he joins 5 star Gary Trent Jr, 5 star Hamidou Diallo (Diallo and Trent are considered the best SGs in the 2017 class) and three star talents Jamir Harris, Mario Haskett, and Terrell Turner as shooting guards the Gophers are said to have offered according to the kids and/or their coaches.

Williams has also been offered by VCU, Dayton, and Rutgers. I can't find a Rivals database page so here is his VC database page:

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/keith-williams

Here is some video on Williams. His highlights start at the 1:15 mark.

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There is also some Isaiah Washington on there who they have talked to before.

I know what you guys are thinking "what is the scholarship plan?" Honestly, it's tough to know until it's mid April and I'm able to get out to the gyms and we have a clearer photo of who leaves the program and who stays.

I have to believe they will have at least two scholarships to use in 2017 and I have the feeling that they will get their bigs locally but it seems the search is national for the guards.

Still too early to know, when it comes to 2017 the plan will be much clearer after the NCAA open periods.

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Central Lakes CC (same as Kieran Johnson) running back Carlton Djam committed as a preferred walk-on. Djam was at Fridley before Central Lakes. At Central Lakes, he carried the ball 199 times for 1087 yards (5.5 ypc) and 19 touchdowns, and lost just one fumble. At Fridley, he carried the ball 55 times for 481 yards (8.7 ypc) and four touchdowns as a senior while splitting time with Kez Flomo.

Lady Gophers vs Ohio State.

Minnesota offered Brother Rice (Ill.) 5.7 three-star wide receiver Ricky Smalling this evening. Smalling also holds offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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