Tracy Claeys named Minnesota head coach: 6 things to know

Two weeks after Jerry Kill stepped down as Minnesota’s head football coach the university has named interim head coach Tracy Claeys the Gophers removed his interim tag.

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When Jerry Kill suddenly announced his retirement from coaching two weeks ago due to continued health issues, Tracy Claeys made it well-known he wanted to be the next head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

“I want to be the next head football coach here, that’s all there is to it,” Claeys said in late October. “I believe I can do it and our staff can do it.”

On Wednesday, Claeys’ request had been granted as Minnesota removed the interim tag from his title and has signed a three-year contract with the university. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Claeys’ will earn $4.5 million from 2016 through the 2018 season.

This was an intelligent and timely decision by Minnesota as naming a head coach should assist recruiting and remove all speculation surrounding the position throughout the rest of the season.

Claeys’ starts his new career with a 0-2 mark, falling to Michigan and Ohio State in consecutive Saturdays. It’s not the recent performance that earned the long-time assistant coach the full-time gig.

Here’s what we know about Tracy Claeys:

• He’s worked under Jerry Kill for 21 seasons and has served as the defensive coordinator since 1999 at Emporia State, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Minnesota.
• Claeys has been nominated twice for the Frank Broyles Award (nation’s top assistant coach).
• When at Northern Illinois, Claeys’ defenses ranked as the MAC’s top defensive team in points allowed per game in 2008 and 2010.
• From 2012-2014, Minnesota’s pass defense ranked in the top five in the Big Ten statistically.
• In 2013, Minnesota ranked No. 24 in the nation in points allowed per game, surrendering 22.2.
• Claeys is 4-5 as an acting head coach with Minnesota, posting a 4-3 mark in 2013 in Kill’s absence. The Gophers posted wins over Nebraska, Northwestern, Indiana and Penn State.

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Despite his lack of head coaching experience, Claeys appears poised to continue what Kill started at Minnesota. His defensive IQ should fit in to the Big Ten style of play and the Gophers should experience success under his direction.

The Gophers will undoubtedly need to improve offensively to become a threat in the West Division but, for now, there’s some certainty moving forward.

Minnesota will end the regular season with a trip to Iowa before coming home to host Illinois and Wisconsin. The Gophers are currently 4-5 and need two wins to make a trip to a fourth consecutive bowl game.