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Former Gopher coach Jerry Kill returns to the U of M for football opener

During an interview in 2017, Kill promised to never step foot back at the University of Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Gophers football team kicks off their home opener at Huntington Bank Stadium at 8 p.m. Thursday.

They are taking on New Mexico State, coached by former Gophers coach, Jerry Kill.

Kill left the Gophers mid-season in 2015 for health reasons. He said the move crushed him.

Then in 2017, he promised to never step foot back at the University of Minnesota. He was upset about the firing of his long-time assistant and then-head football coach, Tracy Claeys.

He also publicly criticized current coach P.J. Fleck, saying in an interview that Fleck was about himself -- not the players. Kill was apparently upset about Fleck's comments about having to rebuild the program.

Randy Shaver interviewed Kill about his return, and asked him whether he plans to shake Fleck's hand. See that story here.

RELATED: Gophers kick off opener vs. Kill, New Mexico State as heavy favorite

RELATED: Coach Kill returns to Minnesota to face Gophers following fiery radio comments

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