The Daily Gopher - Minnesota Football: Jerry Kill Taking Time to Focus on Epilepsy TreatmentYour online home for Minnesota Golden Gophers football, basketball and hockey.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49211/daily-gopher-fave.png2013-10-11T13:20:07-05:00http://www.thedailygopher.com/rss/stream/45891052013-10-11T13:20:07-05:002013-10-11T13:20:07-05:00Souhan Writes Wreck Of A Column & I Respond
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<p>Seriously everyone, I'm going to thoroughly dissect this smelly pile of BS until every single nonsense argument is shredded.</p> <p>Jim Souhan wrote another pile of slop today. I'm not linking to it. The summary? The U has no football brains so Glen Mason should be hired as a football czar. That's literally the term used, football czar. No definition, though Souhan thinks it could mean he's an interim HC, the new football AD, or a one man search committee to replace Coach Kill.</p>
<p>Alright, time to fisk, fisk, fisk. I hope you're all ready. 5,000 words of displeasure, c'mon at ya.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1853925/GIF_2.14.13_EE_Facial_Sign.gif"><img alt="Gif_2" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1853925/GIF_2.14.13_EE_Facial_Sign.gif"></a></p>
<p>Done!</p>
<p>I mean, reread the summary of what Souhan wrote. Is there a more appropriate response than the EE wanking motion GIF? I think not. And a EE wanking GIF is certainly worth 5,000 words.</p>
<p> </p>
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https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/10/11/4828400/jerry-kill-seizure-jim-souhan-minnesota-football-gopher-football-gophers-footballGoAUpher2013-10-10T16:00:49-05:002013-10-10T16:00:49-05:00Gopher Press Conference Regarding Kill's Absence
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<figcaption>Reid Compton-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Norwood Teague and interim coach, Tracy Claeys squeezed in a press conference between a team meeting and practice to talk about the decision by Jerry Kill to take time away from football to focus on treatment for his epilepsy.</p>
<p>Here is what we know (facts are kind of important here).</p>
<p>1 - This was a decision made by Coach Kill with his wife Rebecca. He has apparently been close to making a similar decision at previous points in this journey but it never came to fruition. Coach Claeys tells us what he thinks finally pushed him towards taking the necessary time to get this right.</p>
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<p>"For the first time he wasn't there at the beginning of the game. Historically, he'd say he was going to do this and then feel better and not go ahead with it. As a staff we are all happy that he's made this decision to do this. We will represent him well for however long it is."</p>
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<p>2 -Kill will remain in contact with the staff and will stay close to the program. How much is uncertain but he will not be completely shut off from the staff, program and players. Throughout this process many of the players have been in contact with coach Kill and his wife. The team was informed this afternoon about his decision.</p>
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<p>"They are concerned about him, they've always known things first. A lot of them have been texting him and Rebecca and I let them know that he appreciates that."</p>
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<div>3 - There is no timeline for his return. Claeys joked that Kill could show up Saturday morning and he'd be happy to turn the headset over to him. I think we all know that is extremely unlikely but Teague told us that this is Kill's decision as to when he is ready to come back.</div>
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<p>"We're taking it day-by-day. I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. I want Jerry to take care of it. I feel good that he's going to attack this and hopefully improve a lot."</p>
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<p>Epilepsy is a difficult condition to treat. Teague said multiple times that this is not a static. We have also been told this by press releases from the Epilipesy Foundation of MN, individual treatment can varydramatically from patient to patient. Finding the right combination of drugs, rest, diet and other factors is key to getting this under control.</p>
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<p>"It is not a black and white condition, it is a moving target and it is not static."</p>
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<p>Coach Kill is taking the time away from football to focus on getting a workable and manageable treatment.</p>
<p>Those are the things that we know. There is a lot more that we can speculate on. How long will he "really" be gone? What kind of an impact will this have on recruiting and rebuilding the program? With this kind of a change, will they be able to win a Big Ten game this year? Why exactly is this program so cursed?</p>
<p>Fortunately this is a bye week and the team can come together next week after some time to process and get used to Coach Kill not being around.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b>Here are the highlights from Gopher Sports:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RJ0JkfuarnA" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe> <br id="1381518230311"></p>
<p> </p>
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https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/10/10/4825112/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-press-conference-announcing-his-leaveGopherNation2013-10-10T14:51:53-05:002013-10-10T14:51:53-05:00Coach Kill Taking Leave To Focus on Epilepsy
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This just in from the University of Minnesota, Head Coach Jerry Kill will be taking time away from football to focus on treatment for his epilepsy.</p>
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<p>Minnesota Director of Athletics Norwood Teague announced today that head football coach Jerry Kill is continuing to take time to focus on his treatment and better manage his Epilepsy.</p>
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<p>In Kill's absence, Tracy Claeys will take over as Interim Head Coach.</p>
<p>Statements from all of the necessary people.</p>
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<p><b>Head Coach Jerry Kill </b></p>
<p>"My wife Rebecca, myself and our two daughters want to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns during the last few weeks. This was a difficult decision to make, but the right decision. Our staff has been together a long time and I have full confidence in Coach Claeys and them during my time away. Every decision that will be made will be in the best interest of the players and the program. I look forward to returning to the Minnesota sideline on a full-time basis soon."</p>
<p><b>Director of Athletics Norwood Teague</b></p>
<p>"Coach Kill is taking time to continue treatment and focus on managing his Epilepsy. Tracy Claeys will serve as the interim head coach until Coach Kill is ready to return. Coach Kill will remain in very close contact with the team and his staff and provide direction and support as needed. Our support for Coach Kill is unwavering and we look forward to his return to full-time coaching duties.</p>
<p>"This is a great group of student-athletes under the guidance of one of the longest-tenured and most respected staffs in college football, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to move this program forward and make us proud."</p>
<p><b>University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler</b></p>
<p>"Athletics Director Norwood Teague and Coach Kill are managing this health situation, as it relates to our football program, in the most straightforward and caring manner possible. They are acting in the best interests of this University, its alumni and fans and, most importantly, the student-athletes who have placed their trust in us. I eagerly look forward to Coach Kill's return and wish him all the best."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While this is not totally shocking news, it certainly wasn't expected.</p>
<p>Jerry Kill missed the 2nd half of the Western Illinois game and did not even make the trip to Michigan this past weekend. Missing 6 quarters of the 20 played this year is pretty significant and taking the time to make sure that he has his medication and treatment plan worked out is probably the right move. Stepping away now is less distracting for the team than not knowing day-to-day what to expect.</p>
<p>I have a ton of questions, as I'm sure you all do as well. There will be a press conference with Norwood Teague and Coach Claeys at 3:15 this afternoon.</p>
<h4>More from The Daily Gopher:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/20/4745910/the-daily-gopher-donate-epilepsy-foundation-minnesota-football-jerry-kill">The Daily Gopher Wants To Make a Difference for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota</a></li>
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https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/10/10/4824998/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-taking-time-to-focus-on-epilepsyGopherNation2013-10-05T12:49:34-05:002013-10-05T12:49:34-05:00Coach Kill Suffers Seizure Sat Morning
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>Jerry Kill was not feeling well on Friday and stayed over in Minnesota, planning to meet the team in Ann Arbor today. But the Gopher's coach suffered another seizure, his second of the season, and will not be with the team this afternoon.</p>
<p>There really is not a lot to report here. He suffered a seizure at home and is resting at home. Tracy Claeys will act as head coach today from the press box.</p>
<p>I highly doubt that more information will become available as this has happened enough that the team/staff knows what to do and from a medical perspective this is not out of the ordinary when it comes to Coach Kill. I would bet that there will be a statement issued tomorrow and he'll be back to work on Sunday or Monday at the latest. The team knows what to do and hopefully this will not act as a distraction.</p>
<p>Please do not forget that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/20/4745910/the-daily-gopher-donate-epilepsy-foundation-minnesota-football-jerry-kill">TDG is trying to help raise awareness and funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of MN</a> in support of Jerry Kill.</p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/10/5/4806170/minnesota-gopher-football-jerry-kill-suffers-seizure-saturday-morningGopherNation2013-09-20T18:00:08-05:002013-09-20T18:00:08-05:00Help TDG Make A Difference For Epilepsy Awareness
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>Coach Jerry Kill leads the Gopher Football team and he also leads a life of uncertainty due to his continuous battle with epilepsy. This affliction of his has become incredibly public due not only to the public nature of his job but also due to the fact that he has unfortunately suffered 4 seizures on game-day in his 28-game career as the Gopher's head coach. </p>
<div class="pullquote">I'd like to see what we as a community can do to help raise awareness and more importantly to raise funds to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.</div>
<p>The most recent seizure sparked a frenzy of published reports with "informed" opinions on what direction the University should go and what was best for the health of Coach Kill. I'd like to get away from such nonsense and instead see what we as a community can do to help raise awareness and more importantly to raise funds to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.</p>
<p><br id="1379700450815"> In light of these media columns the <a href="http://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/nopity" target="_blank">Epilepsy Foundation of MN felt the need to post this page</a> in response to much of the publicity that was painting epilepsy in such a negative light.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #863e54; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;" class="maroonHeadline">COACH KILL IS 1 OF 3 MILLION PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY – EDUCATION, NOT PITY, IS NEEDED<br><br></font></p>
<p><img style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; width: 600px; height: 27px;" src="http://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/files/epilepsyfoundation/images/colorbar.jpg"></p>
<h3>So how can we make a difference? What are we going to do?</h3>
<p>We are going to encourage you to donate to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. All proceeds you donate will go directly to the organization.</p>
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<p>The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) is committed to helping people with seizures realize their full potential. By developing programs that educate, connect and empower individuals and communities, partnering with world class Level 4 Epilepsy Centers and other non-profits. EFMN is making a difference in the lives of thousands of Minnesotans and North Dakotans every year.</p>
<p>By supporting the Foundation today you can be part of the process of educating others, connecting individuals/families and empowering communities. Your support can impact people for a lifetime.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The University of Minnesota and the Epilepsy Foundation of MN (EFMN) have partnered to host the <a href="http://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/calendar_all_events.aspx?returnurl=calendar_all_events.aspx&calendarid=992&categoryid=431&scheduleid=-1&displaymode=1&viewmode=item&itemid=16927" target="_blank">Go-Pher Epilepsy Awareness Game</a> on October 26th against Nebraska. So <b><u>between now and the 10/26 Nebraska game you are encouraged to go to the EFMN website and donate in honor of Coach Kill.</u></b></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center; "><a target="_blank" href="https://secure3.convio.net/efmn/site/Donation2;jsessionid=BC60FCCA2AE32F3E9D24CB796B65F061.app331a?df_id=1621&1621.donation=form1">DONATE HERE</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">(<b><i>but before you do please follow the specific instructions below</i></b>)</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="https://secure3.convio.net/efmn/site/Donation2;jsessionid=4B53A06BE91C94228B524EC8966440AF.app331a?df_id=1621&1621.donation=form1"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3256673/EFMN_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Efmn_medium"></a></p>
<p>In order for us to track donations that are given to this foundation through The Daily Gopher please follow these simple instructions when donating.</p>
<p>1. After you fill in your information and BEFORE you enter credit card info...check the box that says, "<span>Yes, this is an honor or memorial gift"</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3257523/CheckHere.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Checkhere_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3257523/CheckHere_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>2. After you check that particular box, more boxes will appear and in the first one please type, "Jerry Kill - The Daily Gopher". If we all do this, then it will all be grouped together in the EFMN system.</p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3257531/TypeThis.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Typethis_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3257531/TypeThis_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>That is it, then you obviously have to fill in the other pertinent information and submit your donation.</p>
<p>In case you missed the Donate button above, here it is again.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center; "><a target="_blank" href="https://secure3.convio.net/efmn/site/Donation2;jsessionid=BC60FCCA2AE32F3E9D24CB796B65F061.app331a?df_id=1621&1621.donation=form1">DONATE HERE</a></h4>
<p>C'Mon TDGers, time to step up and make a difference. We can talk about Coach Kill's seizures, we can hammer traditional media who are ill-informed and we can choose to ignore the whole thing focusing on Gopher wins and losses. OR we can choose to help the cause and try to make a difference as a community.</p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/20/4745910/the-daily-gopher-donate-epilepsy-foundation-minnesota-football-jerry-killGopherNation2013-09-16T07:25:48-05:002013-09-16T07:25:48-05:00A Response To Every Post Kill Seizure Argument
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The primary arguments advanced since Kill's seizure on Saturday are focused on PR, performance, the effect this has on fans, and medical concerns. Here is what I think is wrong with each of them.</p> <p>Alright, the <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4734704/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-seizure-or-why-people-without-mds-need" target="_blank">last article I wrote</a> on this subject was about refuting stuff with logic and snark, but it was heavy on the snark. While it hit most of the high points I wanted to make, the takedown format meant that the overall pushback was a bit disjointed. My goal is to make this article your one stop (and more concise, sort of) shop for a recap of the common arguments that have arisen from the media and Twitter follow Coach Kill's latest seizure and what I think is wrong with each of them. I'm going to group them into 5 major categories: PR disaster, performance, medical concerns, effect on fans, and general dickishness (aka, pulling a Souhan).</p>
<p><i><b>NOTE:</b> One major frustration in all this has been the number of assumptions media members and folks on Twitter have made without any evidence to support them. I pledge to avoid doing the same here. If you feel that I fail at any point, PLEASE call me out on it in the comments so I can retract the statement or clarify it in a way that removes the assumptions.</i></p>
<h4>PR Disaster</h4>
<p>This is the least important and least pernicious of the arguments. But in the same way, that makes things in this category frustrating to read and hear.</p>
<p>Before we start, let me say that I do think the media has some valid questions to ask. Coach Kill just missed a half of football. Earlier this year <a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/219135991.html" target="_blank">he told Joe Christensen the following:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It’s not something I’m going to solve in a month," he said. "The worst thing that’s ever happened to me is the Michigan State situation. <b> You can’t be the head football coach and miss half of a game.</b> I mean, I’m not stupid, I realize that.</p>
<p>"If I was doing those things, the university wouldn’t have to fire me. I’d walk away if I didn’t think I could do it. But that won’t happen because you’re talking to a guy that wasn’t supposed to be here anyway."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The emphasis above is mine. Coach Kill specifically said what just happened is an issue for a coach. It's reasonable for the media to want to ask things like:</p>
<p>- What did Coach Kill mean by that?</p>
<p>- In light of the recent episode, does he still believe this?</p>
<p>- If he doesn't, what has changed?</p>
<p>And so on. I think these are fair questions, because Kill himself called into question what a future episode might mean if it happened during a game.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's get to the different arguments in this section:</p>
<p><b>- Fans and media are owed an explanation, immediately.</b> On the face of it, this makes sense. It's the media's job to ask questions right? I totally agree. But who ever said that the media would be denied an explanation? They were simply denied an immediate chance to ask Norwood Teague questions. If there was a reason for time sensitivity, I'd understand the concern. But I've yet to read (or come up with on my own) a reason why a press conference early this week isn't a perfectly valid time to ask the questions they want to ask.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">The idea that a failure to answer questions postgame is a PR disaster feels like media entitlement. <span></span>
</div>
<p>Take the questions I offered above. There is nothing time sensitive about them. And questions I didn't already note, like "Does this change your thoughts about Kill's long term future at Minnesota?" aren't either. I don't like that sort of question, but if you're going to ask it at least recognize that it's not the sort of question that can be easily answered and that waiting a few days to get the response doesn't hurt anything. It's not like there is a scandal here where a few extra days will give Teague time to destroy documents or silence witnesses or whatever.</p>
<p>Honestly, the idea that a failure to answer questions postgame is a PR disaster feels like media entitlement. It also feels like the media publicly scolding Teague for not giving them the chance to do their jobs RIGHT THIS SECOND even though there really isn't a reason for it to happen right this second.</p>
<p><b>- Prepared statements are inappropriate.</b> Why? Yesterday was about the medical side of things. Neither a spokesperson or Teague are the right person to answer any medical questions. Separate from my previous note about time sensitivity (or lack thereof) I'd argue that getting into questions about Kill's long term future or ability to perform his job aren't best asked the same day as the seizure. Again, I feel like the sports media is acting like their job is more important than it is. Coach Kill isn't the president. A president having a seizure means immediate questions deserve to be asked, even if they can't be answered immediately. This is not that.</p>
<p><b>- Teague isn't controlling the narrative.</b> I totally agree. I'm a political wonk and I find that world and it's rules interesting. This isn't that world. For all the reasons I note above, there is no narrative to control unless the media decides it has to create it's own narrative. I don't like when that happens in politics (THIS IS AS CLOSE TO <a href="http://edsbs.wikia.com/wiki/Spider_Closet" target="_blank">THE SPIDERS</a> AS I WANT US TO GET FOLKS), but at least in that world there are often reasons why it can make more sense. Here it's just the media beast making a decision to set the narrative on their own.</p>
<p>Now, that said, I do still think this was a misstep by Teague. While I wholeheartedly think the media's position on this is off base, their reaction is also pretty predictable and I think the AD's office probably should have accounted for it. I don't think we're talking about a massive misstep (as furor over when questions get answered tends to be forgotten by most people rather quickly) but it is something I think could have been avoided.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">The media <b>CHOSE</b> to ask those questions. If they were inappropriate,<b> WHY DID THEY ASK THEM</b>?</div>
<p><b>- The failure to answer questions now means coaches and players are put into an unfair position.</b> This one really bugs me. To make it, media members have to pretend that they were somehow forced to ask the assistant coaches and the players these questions.</p>
<p>No one made them ask questions at gunpoint. The media <b>CHOSE</b> to ask those questions. If they were inappropriate to ask the players or coaches, <b>THEN WHY DID THEY ASK THEM</b>? This one is the media's fault, plain and simple.</p>
<h4>Performance</h4>
<p>This is the often unspoken (or obliquely spoken) concern that underpins a lot of the PR disaster arguments. I mean, these seizures have to be hurting the team right? It seems so logical. And it might very well be true to some degree. But as of yet, I don't think we've seen any proof that this is the case (or at least I don't think we've seen proof that the outcomes wouldn't have been the same without a seizure). So lets tackle the performance arguments one by one:</p>
<p><b>- The team can't perform without their head coach (i.e. seizures have or will cost the Gophers games).</b> Basic right? Coach Kill is the head coach. You can't lose your head coach and expect the team to do as well. Again, this might be true. But can it be proven? Coach Kill has had 4 seizures in or around games (on the field vs. NMSU in '11, after Northwestern in '12, in the locker room at halftime MSU in '12, and on the field vs. Western Illinois this past weekend).</p>
<p>I'd argue that first three instances would have resulted in losses regardless of whether Coach Kill had a seizure. The Gophers had a shot to tie NMSU, but had not been performing well all game and were trying to convert a long 4th down. However, if I had to pick one, this is the game where I think the team was the most affected. Especially given the crucial time it happened during and the fact that it as Kill's first public seizure as coach of the Gophers. The Northwestern seizure didn't impact the NU game, but could have affected the UW game the following week. However, the game against the Badgers was one the Gophers were long shots in anyhow. I don't see Minnesota winning in Madison last year either way. The same goes for Michigan State. That's a game where Gopher fans could see the outcome coming at us like a slow moving freight train. Nothing in the team's performance in the first half leads me to believe Coach Kill being present would have brought a W. And the team beat Western Illinois, while playing better in the 2nd half (post seizure) then they did in the 1st half. So you can hardly claim performance issues there.</p>
<p>What does this mean? To me, it simply illustrates that the people putting this argument forward are making too assumptions and don't have any proof to back up their conjecture.</p>
<p><b>- The players can't handle the seizures.</b> This is related to the above, but is more specific and involves even more assumptions. Here's a simple question for anyone putting forth this argument. Do you have a quote from a player saying this is true? No? Then you're making an unsubstantiated assumption. "That's how I would feel" doesn't fix your argument's problems. Are you playing for the Gophers? No? Then what you would do doesn't matter.</p>
<p><b>- It's hurting recruiting.</b> <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4732080/minnesota-football-jerry-kills-seizure-questions-remain-but" target="_blank">Elliot knocked this one down quite ably Saturday night.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">If your point is that people with epilepsy can't be coaches, then you are for discrimination and bigotry.</div>
<p><b>- The seizures mean Kill can't handle the job.</b> This one has a lot to unpack. Can't handle the job by what standard? If the category for the standard is wins and losses, then we don't have enough info to make that call yet. And if it's anything else, you've moved into subjective territory.</p>
<p>It's not just what category of standard either. Whose interpretation are we using to say Kill is failing at the job? The media member who is asking? The Twitter user's standard? The only standard that matters is Norwood Teague's, but you can't speculate using that standard can you?</p>
<p>If your point in making this argument is that people with epilepsy can't be coaches, then you are for discrimination and bigotry towards folks with this chronic medical condition. If Coach Kill truly isn't able to perform well enough due to the seizures, then his win/loss record will show it. At that point, Coach Kill will be fired for the performance metric that matters and that all other coaches are judged on. In other words, it will be fair. Or, we may just find that all of this talk is just that, talk. In that case, Coach Kill will prove his doubters wrong. As a fan of the Gophers, I know which one I'm rooting for.</p>
<h4>Medical Concerns</h4>
<p>Many folks commenting have expressed a concern for Coach Kill's health. While these concerns seem to be well intentioned, they are presumptuous and misguided. Since the most common forms of this concern that I've seen share a common theme, I'm going to combine them and respond to them all at once.</p>
<p><b>- Coach Kill could die on the field.</b></p>
<p><b>- This job is bad for Coach Kill's health.</b></p>
<p>There are other forms of these arguments, but these are the most common and cover most (if not all) of the metaphorical bases. The primary issue I've got with this sort of arguments is that they are being made by people who aren't doctors or medical professionals of any kind. They're being made by sportswriters, other bloggers, and fans. In other words, the people <b>LEAST</b> <b>QUALIFIED</b> to make pronouncements about Coach Kill's health and medical conditions.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">The people <b>LEAST</b> <b>QUALIFIED</b> to make pronouncements about Kill's health are saying they know best.<br>
</div>
<p>The other major problem I have is that these pronouncements are being made based on things that these folks are reading on the internet. I don't say that to critique or downplay the source material. I don't have the background or experience to do that and the sources folks have been linking to seem legit to me.</p>
<p>What I am capable of doing is reading the same sources and realizing that the medical conditions they discuss are <b>VERY</b> complex. Additionally, much of the material isn't written so lay people can diagnosis others or make pronouncements about their prognosis. They are informational tools for people suffering from epilepsy and their families and are designed to help them get into the right frame of mind so that when they speak with their health care providers they can ask good questions and take an active role in their care.</p>
<p>What do I mean when I say the material is complex? Well, many people are saying they fear Coach Kill will die from something called SUDEP (<a href="http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/healthrisks/sudep/SUDEP-FAQ.cfm">Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy</a>). The material on SUDEP is sobering. The issue is that a lay person is going to have no idea what Kill's risk factor is for SUDEP. The link I supplied (which is the one I've seen used most commonly) lists 6 risk factors for SUDEP:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>The greatest risk factor for SUDEP is frequent seizures, especially generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.</span></p>
<p><span>Other risk factors being investigated include:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Early age of epilepsy onset or long duration of epilepsy</span></li>
<li><span>Not taking medications as prescribed</span></li>
<li><span>Stopping or changing medications abruptly</span></li>
<li><span>Young adult age (20-40 years old)</span></li>
<li><span>Intellectual disability (IQ<70)</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>Coach Kill is definitely affected by the most important factor. Of the other 5, 3 of them (age of onset, current age, and IQ) don't apply and that the other two (the med factors) aren't something a layperson has any information to judge off of. So what is Kill's risk factor? The same site says the following:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>The rate of SUDEP is approximately</span><span> one death per 1,000 people with epilepsy per year.However, in people with frequent epileptic seizures that are poorly controlled with medications, the rate is approximately 1 in 150 per year.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>So Coach Kill is in the 1 in 150 right? Well, maybe. What is the definition of "poorly controlled with medications?" Does Coach Kill's condition meet that definition? We as lay people have no idea. The only people qualified to determine Coach Kill's risk of SUDEP are his care team, the folks who know everything about his medical history and current treatments. And none of them have shared any public concerns about Coach Kill remaining a head coach.</p>
<p>Material that isn't written to help those suffering from epilepsy is either written for epilepsy advocacy (i.e. to make you care about it) or often comes in the form of statistics about the number of cases or deaths. And much like the material discussed above, these numbers are complex. For instance, the death statistics typically include multiple causes of death in a single statistic without specifying what % of the deaths can be attributed to each category. In other words, they're the sort of high level numbers that a layperson can easily misinterpret or misuse.</p>
<p>All of that hasn't stopped multiple media members and many across the Twitterverse from playing armchair MD however. So let me give you a simple test that will help anyone reading this know if they are qualified to make pronouncements about Kill's health:</p>
<p>1) Are you a physician?</p>
<p>2) Do you have experience treating epilepsy?</p>
<p>3) Have you examined Coach Kill and are you familiar with his medical history and current treatment plan?</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">The only people qualified to assess the risks Coach Kill may face are the members of his medical team.<span></span>
</div>
<p><br id="1379306750937"></p>
<p>If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you don't know what you're talking about. And that's ok, I don't know what I'm talking about on that front either. The difference is that I'm not saying that I know what risks Coach Kill is facing or what course of action is best for his health. As I said above, the only people qualified to assess the risks Coach Kill may face are the members of his care team at the U and Mayo. The only people qualified to decide the best course of action for his future is Coach Kill, his family, and his medical team.</p>
<p>The next set of arguments are a combination of armchair MD and assumption making:</p>
<p><b>- You shouldn't coach if there is a chance you could die.</b></p>
<p><b>- The stress in coaching is unique and Coach Kill's condition means he is at extra risk.</b></p>
<p>Leaving out the fact that anyone could die (because that's a lame counter argument) this ignores all the other coaches who have been at some level of risk. To those making this argument, I have a simple question...Are you ok with Mark Dantonio coaching? Coach Dantonio had a heart attack. Stress is a known factor in heart problems along with poor diet, hereditary factors, etc. Poor diets are often a problem for coaches. If you're concerned about coaches with medical conditions that are stress based or that could result in death, shouldn't you be calling for Mark Dantonio to resign based on the risks he is taking?</p>
<p>Now, that would be a terrible argument that relied on assumptions and medical knowledge that I and others don't possess. But if you're going to down that road with Kill, I have to ask if/why you never did so with other coaches who meet your criteria of risk.</p>
<p>The last related argument concerns Coach Kill's family:</p>
<p><b>- This is taking a toll on his family and their well-being.</b> I have another simple test.</p>
<p>1) Are you Coach Kill?</p>
<p>2) Are you a member of his family?</p>
<p>If the answer to both of these is no, then stop writing or talking about what the seizures mean to his family immediately.</p>
<h4>How The Seizures Affect The Fans</h4>
<p>Oh boy, where to start...</p>
<p><b>- Coach Kill shouldn't coach because his seizures are upsetting to fans/TV viewers/etc.</b> This is the most pernicious of the arguments. It's also the most discriminatory. It assumes that we as outside observers have some right to control over Coach Kill's life and decisions because we are fearful, uncomfortable, or ill-informed. <b>WE. DO. NOT. </b></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">We as outside observers don't have the right to control Coach Kill's life and decisions because we are fearful, uncomfortable, or ill-informed about epilepsy.<span></span>
</div>
<p><br id="1379307956520"></p>
<p>The fact that many are putting it forward like it is a strong case for Kill to resign is both baffling and maddening. Whether the person pushing the idea means it or not, this is an insulting and demeaning position to take. Especially since it will punish the person with the disability/medical condition and not the person who is unable to display empathy or self awareness. I have to ask why people advancing this argument think it's acceptable in the case of epilepsy? Would it have been ok to ask Mark Mangino to step down as Kansas' head coach because he was overweight and some felt he was setting a bad example for his players? Would it be ok to ask a coach with a speech impediment to step down because some fans found his speech embarrassing or uncomfortable to watch?</p>
<p>No, it wouldn't. Frankly, this whole line of thinking is LUDICROUS. The other version is only slightly less offensive.</p>
<p><b>- Coach Kill should coach from the pressbox so fans don't have to see his seizures.</b> I see. So Coach Kill is capable of coaching, but the delicate feelings and constitutions of some fans mean that he can't coach in the manner that he finds to be most effective? This is ridiculous for all the reasons I've already mentioned and I say again, it's just wrong.</p>
<h4>Pulling A Souhan</h4>
<p>As I noted above, this is the place for all arguments that are made for the purpose of general dickishness. Congrats Jim, you get your own section. Why? Because you said Coach Kill is as good having seizures as he is at winning football games. Because you used your armchair MD knowledge to accuse everyone calling you out for your horrible column as cold heartless monsters who don't care about Jerry Kill. Because you suggested that people were ridiculing Coach Kill and the U for his seizure when the only person I can see who is doing anything close to that is you. Because you said Kill's seizures means he can't be a good face of the program of University. You are a hack Jim. You are a terrible columnist who can't take deserved criticism.</p>
<p>So be proud Jim. Because the people sharing this section with you are the Twitter trolls. The people who think it's funny to mock Coach Kill and make jokes about the seizures. The lowest of the low in the online sports community. The ones you would mock as living in their mother's basement. Those are your people Jim. I'm sure you're very proud.</p>
<p>Oh wait, was I supposed to rebut your dreck? Sorry, I don't have time to scrape the bottom of my shoe right now. Maybe later.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>More from The Daily Gopher:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4734704/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-seizure-or-why-people-without-mds-need?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Jerry Kill Seizure - Or Why People Without MD's Need To Stop It</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4732080/minnesota-football-jerry-kills-seizure-questions-remain-but?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Jerry Kill's Seizure - Questions Remain, But Recruiting Isn't One Of Them</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4731060/minnesota-football-gophers-vs-western-illinois-highlights-gopher-football-gophers-football?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Gophers vs. Western Illinois Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4730466/minnesota-football-tdg-gameday-pics-minnesota-golden-gophers-vs?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: TDG Gameday Pics Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Western Illinois</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4730368/minnesota-football-gophers-start-slow-but-come-from-behind-to-beat?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Gophers Start Slow But Come From Behind to Beat Western Illinois 12-29</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/16/4735366/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-seizure-gopher-football-gophers-footballGoAUpher2013-09-15T19:33:13-05:002013-09-15T19:33:13-05:003 Reactions To Coach Kill's Seizure Dissected
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OUalfZSbkZLm2U9jEQiKab04ecE=/0x227:2793x2089/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19599935/20130829_ajw_aj5_409.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Over the past 24 hours, the internet has been filled with calls for Jerry Kill to resign or be fired. I'm going to fisk several of these misguided notions in detail.</p> <p><b>PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: </b></p>
<p><b>- This is my "tear the nonsense apart" piece.</b> This is the piece to make me feel better and offer ridicule when it is needed. The shorter, more concise breakdown of the bad reasoning with the measured responses is coming in a separate post. Consider this to be a palate cleanser. Many of the things I say here will be in the other post, but they'll be tied together in a more coherent fashion. If that's what you are looking for, then give me another hour or two.</p>
<p><b>- This is a long post.</b> I did my best to avoid fisking every line of every article. I failed.</p>
<p><b>- I'm not addressing "regular" folks from Twitter.</b> There was too much nonsense and they don't deserve the notoriety anyhow. Besides, the media left me with plenty to work with.</p>
<p>So with that, let's take a look. I'm going to respond to 3 people: Derek Wetmore, Jim Souhan, and Gregg Doyel. For the articles I quote, I urge you to read the entire linked piece if you haven't already. I want folks to have every opportunity to point out if they think I am taking someone out of context or whatnot.</p>
<h4>Derek Wetmore - ESPN 1500</h4>
<p>Derek tackled the U's reaction to the seizure and stayed away from directly calling for Coach Kill or the U to make a decision. Instead, he focused on his belief that the U has mishandled the story from a PR standpoint. <a href="http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Wetmore_Norwood_Teague_mishandled_Kill_seizure_from_a_PR_standpoint091413" target="_blank">Let's take a look at his story</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>After the game the University's athletics department mishandled the situation and pushed the game's events even further into the background.</p>
<p>"Coach Kill's condition has been documented by the media in town and nationally. Fans are aware that he has epilepsy and that situations like this can happen," senior associate AD Chris Werle said after Kill's third in-game seizure while with Minnesota. "With that being said, we don't feel the need to take any further questions on the matter."</p>
<p>In other words, 'This has happened before, there's no new information so we're not going to talk about it.'</p>
<p>And that's true to an extent. What more can they say that hasn't been addressed?</p>
<p>But considering the frequency of his gameday seizures, dodging the discussion is the wrong approach. Kill's condition has evolved as a cause for legitimate concern, as fair questions resurface about his ability to stay on the field and perform his job.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are some problems here right from the start. This is the point where Derek should be listing the concerns and questions. Instead, he leaves them unsaid and allows the reader to assume what they might be. If you have legitimate concerns, you need to raise them. I'd argue that several of the lines of questioning he could go with aren't fair, but until I see some questions I can't really judge which direction Derek would go. In the meantime, all he's done is say "I think the U's response is mostly okay except for the ambiguous questions I haven't shared yet."</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is a private health matter, of course. But Kill is also a very public figure. At a time when the head football coach at a major university is more recognizable than the president of that university, questions about a coach's ability to fulfill the job duties are fair.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'll say again, what questions? Derek hasn't raised any yet.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It wasn't Kill's first public seizure, and to that end, it's fair that the department and team took a 'no-big-deal' approach. It wasn't as sobering as the first time Kill went down during the climactic moments of a game in 2011. Then, much of the mystery surrounding Kill's epilepsy remained. Now, while epilepsy is still a frustrating personal medical riddle, we're slightly more informed as a public and as media.</p>
<p>Even as an objective observer of the events of the game, you're concerned for Kill.</p>
<p>And yet, you'd like to see better practices in public relations following this latest event.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Most of this sounds pretty good. He acknowledges that the U handled things the right way by not turning the episode into a major event and he admits a concern for Kill that is completely understandable. But then the "and yet" PR statement drops. Derek, I doubt you meant it to come off badly, but your concern for Coach Kill isn't an appropriate lead in to PR critiques because it's an area of importance to the press but not most folks and it's an area much less important than Kill health.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Athletics Director Norwood Teague did not speak after the game. He will speak later this week, according to the department. In a 24-hour news cycle, however, not addressing a public incident creates more room for speculation and unanswered questions.</p>
<p>Strike one.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I find it interesting that media folks always talk about the 24 hours new cycle like they don't play any part in it. You know what also creates speculation? Media folks speculating despite not having enough info or experience to do so in any meaningful way. That's not what Derek does here (Souhan's turn is coming), his is an error of omission that is common to media when talking about news cycles.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Instead, Werle read a prepared statement and then refused to take questions.</p>
<p>Strike two.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ok, why is it a strike? You still haven't explained what useful or legitimate questions you or other members of the media might ask.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Acting head coach Tracy Claeys then had to answer the questions on Kill. (The sense from listening to Claeys is that the players and the rest of Kill's staff is well-equipped to handle the situation. They're mindful of the health of their boss, but they're accustomed to the uncertainty.) Claeys, who has worked with Kill since 1995, addressed the situation admirably but that shouldn't be his burden.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Why shouldn't it be his burden? I don't want it to be his burden, but why is Derek the arbiter of what Coach Claeys should be handling? And if you don't think the questions are ones he should have to answer, why do you not call out members of the media for asking them anyway? No one is forcing the media to ask Claeys questions about Kill. Lastly, is Derek saying that Claeys would have received no questions about Kill if Teague had spoken? I'm sorry, but I have trouble believing that.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Teague's handling of Kill's latest episode is untenable; fans and the media deserve better than that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We deserve what exactly? I do find it interesting what the sports media feels it is entitled to sometimes. An update was given about Kill's condition and status. At this point, Derek has not listed any questions he thinks the media deserves the chance to ask. It's just an assumed that there are questions, they must be valid, and they should have been able to ask them immediately. Norwood Teague is giving a press conference on Monday. I don't see why the unnamed questions are not valid on Monday as well.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>When Claeys concluded, several student-athletes had to answer questions about the coach. That's strike three.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes it is. FOR THE MEDIA. No one forced the media members to ask players about Coach Kill. If the players shouldn't be asked the questions because Teague should get them, they shouldn't be asked them AT ALL. Don't blame Teague for choices media members made on their own.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The problem with having Claeys and student-athletes field questions is they're in no position to answer the largest elephant in the room: can Jerry Kill coach this team if his recurring seizures prevent him from being on the field during games?</p>
<p>They work for Kill. The only person who can answer that line of questioning is Kill's boss, Teague. If Teague believes Kill can continue to do the job, a post-game press conference offered the perfect opportunity to let everyone know.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Here we go, specific question. Good. It's a question whose answer is made more complex given some of Coach Kill's previous statements and I understand why the media wants to ask it. However, I don't see why it is a time sensitive question. Is there something that will change between now and Monday that requires an answer immediately post-game? I certainly can't think of one.</p>
<p>You know what else offers the perfect opportunity to answer the question? A scheduled press conference set up to discuss questions just like this. Which oddly enough is what the U is holding on Monday.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A canned statement and a refusal to field questions, no matter the reason, is a weak attempt to control the message. It's irresponsible.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Derek isn't wrong. However, I'll note that the only reason there is a message to control is because the media is interjecting itself into this event and forcing the need for control. There is no scandal here. No coverup. Coach Kill had a seizure and the U is going to address it on Monday instead of immediately post-game. Why is that a problem?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Yes, we've been through this before and many questions have been addressed. But each seizure is not simply an iteration of a previous episode; it's more complex than that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is? Why? It is very likely that he will have more seizures. What his epilepsy may or may not mean for him as a coach is a complex question. Any individual events are not, so long as they follow the pattern of his previous seizures (i.e. limited duration, non-life threatening, etc). In the absence of a change in the type of seizures, the U is right to treat them as normal (something Derek already applauded them for).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kill has also addressed the doubts that he's healthy enough for the job. In an in-depth piece by the Star Tribune's Joe Christensen, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/219135991.html" title="Joe Christensen story on Jerry Kill ">Kill was quoted as saying</a>: "You can't be the head football coach and miss half of a game. I mean, I'm not stupid, I realize that."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As I said above, this is where I think the good questions can come in.</p>
<p>- What did Coach Kill mean by that?</p>
<p>- In light of a seizure that did exactly what Kill said could be a problem, what are the long term plans?</p>
<p>Not all of these questions will have answers now. And given the complexity of them, they are also not questions best answered immediately post-game. Again, why the time sensitivity beyond wanting to know RIGHT NOW? Also, a note: If you're a media member and you expect Kill or Teague to give you an answer mid-season that goes into his long term future as coach then you are being disingenuous or you are an idiot.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kill has used his public forum to address his own toughness in facing this and other personal adversity. He's also used it to speak up more about his condition and inform a large contingent of people who might otherwise be misinformed. Both of those are commendable, but they can't overshadow the scrutiny the program faces with unanswered questions about the health of its head football coach.</p>
<p>It's the media's job to ask those questions.</p>
<p>It's Teague's job to answer them.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And you'll all get to play your part in this little dance on Monday. In the meantime, you still haven't explained why it was time sensitive.</p>
<p>Ok, that's it for Derek Wetmore. While I feel much of his framing and his choice to ignore the media's role in this event are frustrating, the core question he raised is valid. It's just his demand that it be answered RIGHT NOW that is misguided. Moving on.</p>
<h4>Gregg Doyel - CBS Sports</h4>
<p>Greg treads much of the same ground as our final contestant, but he does so in a way that makes it clear that he isn't asking his questions with malice. He's just asking them without understanding why they are insulting or misguided. <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/general/writer/gregg-doyel/23650795/gophers-jerry-kill-wants-to-coach-should-it-be-his-call" target="_blank">Here's the article I'll be quoting from</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23646190/minnesota-coach-jerry-kill-taken-off-field-on-stretcher">Jerry Kill suffered his fourth seizure in 22 games as head coach of Minnesota on Saturday</a>, raising a question that is awkward to ask about any grown man, much less one as kindly as Jerry Kill. And make no mistake, this is a kindly man. When he was coaching Southern Illinois, Kill started a foundation to help low-income patients fight cancer.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Let me start by saying I honestly think Gregg likes Coach Kill (or at least has a favorable impression of him, as like assumes they've met).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But make no mistake about this, too: Jerry Kill's epilepsy is a major concern -- and not just for Jerry Kill.</p>
<p>There will be people, maybe even most people who read this story, who will fall back on the default position that Kill is a grown man; if he wants to risk dying on the sideline -- doing what he loves -- that's his choice.</p>
<p>And you know what? In a vacuum, that's 100 percent correct. If Jerry Kill is OK with the risk to himself, who are any of us to tell him he's wrong? That's not our business.</p>
<p>But this issue, and these seizures, aren't happening in a vacuum. They're happening on game day, often right there on the sideline. This is an issue that's bigger than Jerry Kill and the personal risks he's willing to assume. What about the risks everyone else assumes? What if he has a fatal seizure during a game, in full view of the stadium?</p>
<p>That's our business.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No Gregg, it's not. I'll get to the problems with the assumptions of death in a bit. For now, I'm going to stick with the idea that those of us watching the games from the stands, press box, or on TV have any say in this. <b>WE DON'T.</b> We don't know him personally, he isn't our father, or son, or brother, or grandpa, or husband, etc. He is our coach or a man we cover for our job. Does Gregg Doyel think it would be appropriate to tell Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts that it was his epilepsy was Greg's business because he could die in the courtroom? If yes, I'd applaud him for consistency. But I suspect John Roberts would have some things to say on why that stance is unsound logically, legally, and as a matter of basic fairness.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>And that seems to be a legitimate risk, given that Jerry Kill has suffered four seizures in 22 games. The math is pretty easy: Since being hired by Minnesota before the 2011 season, Kill has suffered a seizure every five or six games -- and the frequency is increasing. He has suffered three seizures in the last 11 games, and was unable to finish two of them.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Quite a bit wrong here.</p>
<p>- You're not a doctor Gregg. You read something on the internet (that he notes later). You don't have the training, experience, or personal interaction with Coach Kill to know what he is and is not at risk for.</p>
<p>- You don't know anything about frequency. You know about the frequency of the public seizures, but not how they fit in with any he is having in private. And again, you don't have the medical training to make knowledgeable conclusions about what it all means anyhow.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is a problem, and a heartbreaking problem at that. You think this is me, coldly and unsympathetically wondering if Jerry Kill should resign? Don't think that. This is me feeling terrible for a man who has devoted much of his life to football, and who reached the pinnacle of his profession in 2011 when he made it into the Big Ten as a head coach -- and who is doing a great job. At Minnesota his teams have gone 3-9, then 6-7, and now 3-0 early in 2013.</p>
<p>Of course Jerry Kill doesn't want to resign. He wants to keep using his platform to raise money for low-income cancer patients, and to keep using his platform to raise awareness about epilepsy. He's a spokesman at the state and national levels, and he and his wife, Rebecca, are acting as hosts for a second annual epilepsy awareness game Oct. 26 vs. Nebraska.</p>
<p>Kill is doing good work for Minnesota football, and for epilepsy patients, and I'm thinking about that as I write this.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I was serious when I said I honestly believe that Gregg is concerned for Coach Kill. That's not going to fix the arguments made above or the ones to come though.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But I'm also thinking about everyone else in the stadium the next time Kill has a seizure during a game, whether it's at home or on the road.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yep. This is what I was talking about. This argument is quite literally one of "epilepsy is horrible for people to watch and therefore Coach Kill should be forced to give up his job and his dreams because people don't like watching seizures." Wrong on every level. If this logic makes sense, then Charlie Weiss shouldn't be allowed to coach because some people are uncomfortable seeing overweight people. Kevin Sumlin shouldn't coach because some people have problems watching an African American man coach a football team (from the South no less!). Is that last one an extreme comparison? Yes. But they are all premised on the same idea, that people watching the games should be able to push a coach out of a job because something about him makes us uncomfortable. Not because he is a bad coach or is losing games or is cheating. But because we as fans and the media are uncomfortable. It's a stunningly bad position to take.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>People <i>die</i> from epileptic seizures. It's called <a href="http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/healthrisks/sudep/SUDEP-FAQ.cfm">Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy</a> (SUDEP), and according to EpilepsyFoundation.org it happens to about one in 1,000 epilepsy sufferers per year. But the odds go way up for people who, like Kill, have more frequent seizures -- as high as one in 150 people.</p>
<p>Could Jerry Kill be that one in 150? Gosh I hope not. You hope nobody dies from epilepsy ever again, but denial doesn't do any good. People really do die every year from epileptic seizures, and Jerry Kill really does have multiple seizures every year, and his seizures really do seem to be increasing in frequency, exacerbated by the stress of coaching a Big Ten football team on game day.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Say it with me Gregg. "I am not a doctor." The problem he links to, SUDEP, is sobering. But here's the problem. He has no idea what Kill's risk factor is for this. He knows what he read on the internet, but even then, he's disregarding the fact that 3 of the 6 listed risk factors don't apply to Coach Kill and that the other two (related to meds) are factors he has no way to know anything about. All he knows is that Kill has frequent seizures and that this can be a factor in SUDEP. It's unbelievably presumptuous on his part. The only people qualified to determine Coach Kill's risk of SUDEP are his doctors (and he's got some of the best in the world BTW). And the only people qualified to make decisions based on what the doctors tell him are Coach Kill and his family. FULL STOP.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That's Jerry Kill's job. But should it be? I'm not asking for him. Apparently he's decided what's best for him, and that's his right.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Excellent. Glad to see you caught up Gregg. Oh wait, you're not done.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But what about what's best for everyone else?</p>
<p>Who gets to make that decision?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No one does Gregg. What the rest of us want doesn't matter. Unless you like the idea of forcing people out of their jobs because the rest of us are uncomfortable with their medical conditions.</p>
<h4>Jim Souhan - Star Tribune</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/223780401.html?!2" target="_blank">Link if you need it.</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p class="Text_Body">A long time ago, a smart college administrator realized that a football team would inspire more enthusiasm than an English department. A good college football team could become a billboard, a siren, a mint. A good college football coach could become a Pied Piper, a magnet for attention and money.</p>
<p class="Text_Body">That’s how it is supposed to work. That’s not how it worked on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, where the University of Minnesota’s football program, and by extension the entire school, became the subject of pity and ridicule.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That's a strong start if you're trying to troll. The U become the subject of pity and ridicule? Because our head coach suffered a seizure? What uncaring monster would ridicule someone for having a seizure? If you know someone ridiculing Kill for this Jim then this whole column should be used to mock them endlessly. And pity...the only person who should feel bad about anyone showing pity is the person feeling the pity. It suggests that person doesn't understand what epilepsy is or the fact that despite seizures people can live normal lives. Pity is one reason that makes people with epilepsy hide it from the world.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Jerry Kill suffered another seizure on another game day, and this time his boss chose to pretend nothing was wrong.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I see that Jim never bothered to read his own paper's work on this subject, as Joe C. covered in depth how seizures do not stop people from living normal lives and that Kill does not want his seizures treated as earth stopping events.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How can a school continue to employ a football coach who has had four seizures during or after the 16 home games he has coached at the school, along with an unknown number of seizures away from the public eye?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Easy, they direct deposit his paycheck like always and don't take away his keys to the building. What are you suggesting here Jim?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How can the athletic director in charge of that coach avoid speaking publicly about such a public and newsworthy event?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Answer, he doesn't. He just chooses to do so at a different time. What questions do you have that are time sensitive Jim?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kill suffers a seizure on game day as the coach of the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium exactly as often as he wins a Big Ten game. He’s 4-for-16 in both categories.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yup. Jim Souhan just said Jerry Kill is 4 for 16 in seizures and Big Ten wins. Classless doesn't even being to describe this. I should stop now but I won't.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>His latest epileptic seizure, suffered on Saturday, evokes sympathy for him and his family. He appears to be a good man earnestly trying to elevate a woeful program while searching for ways to manage his disease.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I don't think the man comparing seizures to Big Ten wins gets to talk about sympathy. Jerry Kill may get sympathy from folks Jim, but he's clearly not getting it from as terrible a person as you.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even those who admire him most can’t believe that he should keep coaching major college football after his latest episode. Either the stress of the job is further damaging his health, or his health was in such disrepair that he shouldn’t have been hired to coach in the Big Ten in the first place.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jim is a mind reader in addition to being an asshole? Wow. I didn't realize I wanted Coach Kill to step down until just now. Thanks Jim! Also, are you a doctor? No? Then how are you qualified to diagnose someone's health in a newspaper column?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The face of your program can’t belong to someone who may be rushed to the hospital at any moment of any game, or practice, or news conference. No one who buys a ticket to TCF Bank Stadium should be rewarded with the sight of a middle-aged man writhing on the ground. This is not how you compete for sought-after players and entertainment dollars.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There is a LOT to unpack here that is FLAT. OUT. WRONG.</p>
<p>1) Remember kids with epilepsy, you aren't allowed to lead normal lives of hold jobs that put you in public. Why? Because...</p>
<p>2) Some people find epilepsy upsetting. Those people don't need to learn to deal with it though, it's the people who suffer from epilepsy who should quit and go into a job in a dungeon or something.</p>
<p>3) Recruiting isn't a problem.</p>
<p>4) Entertainment dollars? Gee, I guess comparing seizures to Big Ten wins wasn't crass enough for you Jim.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kill’s case is sad. He did good work his entire life to reach a position that his system can no longer handle.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Says the STrib's resident Dr. Nick Riviera clone. Seriously, whatever medical school credentialed this guy should be ashamed.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>His boss’ case is sad in a much different way. Norwood Teague has supported Kill and, in the case of bumping North Carolina off the schedule in favor of a high school-quality program named New Mexico State, Teague has done his bidding.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I see that supporting a coach with seizures is now the same as scheduling decisions. I'm learning so much.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Saturday, when those generous enough to express interest in the Gophers football program asked to speak with Teague about Kill’s condition and the ramifications of his latest collapse, word was sent through an underling that he would not take questions until later in the week.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I see, impatient media members are now simply generous souls concerned only about the well being of the Gopher Football program. How sad these men and women were when they learned they'd need to wait 2 whole days to inquire about an inanimate construct. Nice choice of underling too Jim. That's what makes you a hack and Derek Wetmore just a guy who frames things in an unfortunate way.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="Text_Body">Teague did drive Kill’s wife, Rebecca, to the hospital. He could have made the 10-minute drive back for a 10-minute news conference at any time, especially if, as the Gophers insisted, Kill was resting comfortably.</p>
<p class="Text_Body">Kill is unable to fulfill his duties. Teague is unwilling to fulfill his.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So much here too. See the unspoken assertion that Kill must not be ok and the U is lying because if he was OK Teague could attend the presser. Note the certainty that Kill can't coach with epilepsy with nothing to back it up. See how Jim reads Norwood's mind and knows that he is stubbornly refusing to do his job. It's all quite impressive.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="Text_Body">Teague, like Kill, seems likable enough. He’s affable, and generous with his time when the questions are easy.</p>
<p class="Text_Body">Saturday, his football program, the most important piece of the athletic department, faced a leadership void. Kill was in the hospital. That left an assistant coach and some 19-year-olds to handle touchy questions.</p>
<p class="Text_Body">Into this leadership void stepped … no one.</p>
<p class="Text_Body">Teague may think he dampened coverage of Kill’s seizure by waiting to answer questions. He didn’t. All he did was damage his credibility as a leader.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No one stepped up! Except the coaching staff who finished out the game per a preset plan (a game the Gophers won by the way). Also, from the tone of things here I guess I now know that the Gopher Football program leadership void is a problem because of the nuclear launch codes. And there's that concern for the children again. Those fragile Gopher players who simply had to be asked the tough questions. I mean, the media had NO OTHER CHOICE! It was terrible and it pained them to do it, but the questions were so important that they asked people they knew couldn't answer them as fully as they'd like. I for one am glad to know our local sports media is willing to step up to the plate like that.</p>
<p>Now, that was the end of the column but not the end of Souhan being a piece of work. He answered his hate mail with a blog post. I'm going to guess that you won't be surprised when I tell you he didn't bother to apologize for comparing Kill's seizures to Big Ten wins.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-Yes, I understand that the University of Minnesota can't and shouldn't fire Jerry Kill because he has epileptic seizures. I do believe the administration should ask him to step aside, and believe Kill should do so.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"Yep, I know they'll get sued if they fire him. So instead I want them to publicly ask a coach to resign because of a medical condition. Because that is world's better."</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-No, I don't believe it's OK for everyone to accept that Kill will not be able to coach frequently because of his seizures and that his assistants can handle his duties. The U didn't hire Kill's assistants for more than a millino dollars a year to handle his duties. They hired Jerry Kill with the assumption that he could handle the job.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You don't think it's ok? Wow Jim, I wasn't really sure about that until now. Also, where did you prove that Kill isn't doing his job? And shouldn't it be up to the people who are paying him to decide whether he's doing it? Cause that's how it usually works. Last time I checked, GopherNation isn't the one deciding if I'm doing it right in the software world.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-Yes, I am sympathetic to Kill. I expressed that in my column. But his is not the average job. He can't pretend to be the same as someone who works 9-5 in a cubicle. He is in the entertainment industry. He is the face of a program and by extension a University.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Pro tip: Saying that a coach isn't a good face of a program because he has seizures isn't showing sympathy. It's showing that you are an asshat with the empathy level of a 12 year old.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-No, I don't think I'm being cruel, I think many of you are being cruel. Kill has had four seizures on game days in 16 home games at Minnesota. The stress of the job seems to have a negative effect on him. You shouldn't want him to put himself in that position for your entertainment.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"I AM RUBBER YOU ARE GLUE!" Because remember, Jim is a doctor everyone. He has years of medical training and has examined Jerry Kill personally. He knows what treatments he is on and he knows that this job is killing him. And that's why all of you are monsters.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-No, my criticism of Kill has nothing to do with his coaching. I think he's a solid coach who has a chance to succeed here. But he's not doing the program or himself or his family any favors by risking his health.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"Remember all that stuff I said about Coach Kill not being able to do his job? I didn't mean any of it. I actually think he's a good coach who might succeed here. I just think seizures are scary for some people and it's embarrassing to have a coach who isn't in flawless health. That's why I think Coach Kill should step down."</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-No, I don't write the headlines.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Nope. You just write the dreck underneath. Editors aren't magicians Jim. You hand them a steaming pile of horseshit and there's only so much they can do to polish it up.</p>
<p>In summary: Jim? You're a jackass. And just so we're clear, that's my medical position based on years of knowing people capable of various levels of jackassery. You're Stage 5 man. It's bad. Get help now.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>More from The Daily Gopher:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4732080/minnesota-football-jerry-kills-seizure-questions-remain-but?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Jerry Kill's Seizure - Questions Remain, But Recruiting Isn't One Of Them</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4731060/minnesota-football-gophers-vs-western-illinois-highlights-gopher-football-gophers-football?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Gophers vs. Western Illinois Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4730466/minnesota-football-tdg-gameday-pics-minnesota-golden-gophers-vs?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: TDG Gameday Pics Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Western Illinois</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4730368/minnesota-football-gophers-start-slow-but-come-from-behind-to-beat?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football: Gophers Start Slow But Come From Behind to Beat Western Illinois 12-29</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/14/4730338/minnesota-football-coach-jerry-kill-suffers-in-game-seizure?utm_source=thedailygopher&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Minnesota Football Coach Jerry Kill Suffers In-Game Seizure </a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4734704/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-seizure-or-why-people-without-mds-needGoAUpher2013-09-15T00:14:50-05:002013-09-15T00:14:50-05:00Post Seizure Q's About Recruiting Are Off Base
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qdRAjwSDYG4cuHZ4TVlanj5-0Ms=/0x651:2666x2428/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19550899/20130914_jla_aj5_007.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Elliot takes a look at some of the off base questions being asked in the wake of Coach Kill's latest seizure.</p> <p><i><b>GoAUpher Note: </b>This is written by Elliot (PuckettWept). The site was being troublesome and kept him from getting it posted so I'm getting it up for him. </i></p>
<p>Jerry Kill suffered another seizure Saturday. Odds are if you're reading this post, you're already well aware of this development. In our age of #narratives and speculation-based storylines, the armchair doctors began spouting their diagnosis soon after he was taken away from the field. Among the TAKES, some opined that Kill's seizures were negatively impacting Minnesota's future recruiting efforts.</p>
<p>Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN contended that since the University of Minnesota spokespeople said it was a situation they were ready and prepared to deal with and were not made available for additional comment, reporters should begin calling recruits to see if they think it is a big deal. He wasn't alone in making that jump.</p>
<p>Yes, minutes after watching emergency responders take Kill from the field by stretcher, the discussion moved from, "Are we sure this job isn't, like, literally, killing Jerry Kill? Are we sure he should keep doing this?" to "WE'RE LOSING ALL OF THE RECRUITS BECAUSE OF THE SEIZURE THING, MAN," which for some people was probably, "They won't answer my questions and I have a deadline to hit so now I'm going to start grasping at straws."</p>
<p>This is by no means meant as a takedown of Zulgad; I mention him by name only because we spoke about this subject on Twitter. A handful of media members and several more non-media members made similar assertions; certainly the University of Minnesota didn't help assuage these concerns by issuing a brief statement and declining to answer questions. But I say gasp at straws because if University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague would have taken questions Sunday afternoon, would the topic of how these seizures are impacting recruiting even have been broached?</p>
<p>Let's be clear: This isn't an issue that should be swept under the rug. Typically someone's health should be a largely private issue, but Jerry Kill's long-term and short-term health is an issue that should be discussed publicly by the University because we are all watching it play out live, either from our stadium seats or our living rooms.</p>
<p>It's hard to watch; witnessing an adult convulsing on the ground is not a sight many people are or probably ever should be used to seeing firsthand. Most people do not have experience with epilepsy or seizures in general; the more information shared is a good thing. There are serious questions that need to be answered about Jerry Kill's health, about the severity of these seizures and also less serious questions regarding the protocol for the team and coaching staff. There are many times I criticize Jim Souhan of the StarTribune, but his column tonight is not one of those times. Whether or not you agree with his assertion that Kill should step away from the Gophers, he is at least asking the right questions.</p>
<p>University officials need to address the topic in a frank, and up front, manner. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt if they needed more than a half of football to properly organize such an affair.</p>
<p>Responding to this latest incident by saying, "These seizures are really hurting recruiting" is completely the wrong focus. It's so out of the element of this discussion that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/50248/john-goodman" class="sbn-auto-link">John Goodman</a> should be forced to interrupt such a statement and scream obscenities about attention span length into the interviewer's face.</p>
<p>I say gasping at straws because this "hurting recruiting" argument is a classic straw man. There have plenty of recruits that Minnesota has missed during Jerry Kill's tenure. Moreover, Kill isn't the only coach who has had to answer questions about his health. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack after the Spartans's thrilling OT win against Notre Dame in 2010. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer twice retired from Florida due to health concerns. Yet these coaches and their health concerns are never brought up when talking about Kill.</p>
<p>How did those coaches recruit with health issues hanging over their heads? They won games. That's the most important thing to most recruits. They want to win.</p>
<p>Not once, in an era where players routinely talk about their official visits on Twitter or are quoted by no less than three different recruiting services, did one player or high school coach ever mention that Kill's health issues were a large enough issue that they decided against enrolling at Minnesota.</p>
<p>I've never read or heard the local daily newspapers or sports talk radio stations mention a recruit saying as much, but I wanted to check with someone who would be first to know if that had been the case. I asked Gopher Illustrated Publisher Zach Johnson, who is in his 11th year at Rivals.com to see if the topic has come up much on the recruiting trail.</p>
<p>Johnson said it would naive to think that Kill's health is not at all an issue for incoming recruits, he said it is likely a very minor one.</p>
<p>"I have not heard one recruit or coach of a recruit bring that up as a negative issue when dealing with Minnesota," Johnson said over the phone. "But I know that recruits and coaches today are savvy enough not to say that it would be. It wouldn't make them look too politically correct in our politically correct world. ... I want to make it clear, when it comes to recruiting, there are thousands are factors that go into a kid's decision. To say it isn't one is probably naive. It's one of them, but it's probably just not a major one."</p>
<p>Others posited that Kill's health could be used by other coaches to recruit against Minnesota. But that is a process that has been going on since Murray Warmath had the Gophers in the National Championship discussion. (To those wondering, that's 50 years ago.) That course of action is going to continue whether Minnesota has a coach with a health issue or not.</p>
<p>To Minnesota's credit, they bring up the issue of Kill's health with recruits, Johnson said, and inform them about game day procedures and protocols in place for when an event like Saturday's occurs. On that end, Kill's health issues don't seem to be a major factor in terms of the program's recruiting efforts, Johnson said, but that he felt the biggest impact is felt during in-game management, considering that the team went without a head coach for an entire half of football.</p>
<p>Again, that is the type of question or concern that needs to be addressed. But baselessly suggesting that Kill's seizures are hurting recruiting efforts without any evidence?</p>
<p>You're out of your element.</p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/15/4732080/minnesota-football-jerry-kills-seizure-questions-remain-butGoAUpher