Rutgers confirms hiring Jerry Kill to lead offense

Rutgers officially hired Jerry Kill as its offensive coordinator on Monday.

Kill spent the past seven months as Kansas State's associate athletic director, a hybrid role that allowed him to work directly with John Currie in administration and Bill Snyder as an adviser to the football team.

Before that, he was the coach at Minnesota.

“K-State came at a perfect time for me, and I am forever grateful to John Currie and Coach Bill Snyder for providing this wonderful opportunity,” Kill said in a statement.

Kill arrived at K-State after a 32-year career in coaching that began at the high school level and appeared to end at Minnesota. He won 156 games and three national coaching awards. Last season, he abruptly left Minnesota for health reasons related to epilepsy.

At the time, he admitted his coaching career appeared over. But he had a change of heart.

“My passion is to coach football and impact the lives of young people every day," Kill said, "and my experience at K-State will no doubt make me a better and more well-rounded football coach and person.”

Working at K-State helped re-energize Kill. A low-carb diet, prescribed by his epilepsy doctor, helped him lose 25 pounds. Increased exercise and sleep made him confident he was healthy enough to return to coaching.

The opportunity to lead Rutgers' offense was something he didn't want to pass up.

"This was a perfect fit," Kill said.

K-State deputy athletic director Laird Veatch will take over Kill's administrative responsibilities.

“We were blessed to have Jerry and Rebecca (his wife) here in the K-State and Manhattan communities this past year,” Currie said. “Even though his tenure proved to be short, his impact as a vital member of our senior athletics staff was significant from the day he arrived and his efforts to make our department and students better will continue to pay dividends for K-State.

"We understand his passion and desire for coaching, and the opportunity to get back on the field and coordinate an offense.”

Kill, a Cheney native, takes over a difficult job.

Kill will be the school's eighth offensive coordinator in eight seasons. He will replace Drew Mehringer, who left after one season to join Tom Herman’s staff at Texas.

In his lone football season at K-State, he attended every practice and game and helped the Wildcats go 8-4.

“Jerry enjoyed being a part of our football program and we enjoyed our time with him," K-State coach Bill Snyder said. "He is a hard worker who cares about young people and will have a very positive impact on their lives at Rutgers.”

This story was originally published December 19, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Rutgers confirms hiring Jerry Kill to lead offense."