Jerry Kill was named head coach of the University of Minnesota football program on December 7, 2010.  The Gophers were 3-9 in his first season at the helm in Minnesota. The Gophers finished the 2011 season on a positive note, retaining Floyd of Rosedale with a rivalry game victory over Big Ten foe Iowa and a season-ending Big Ten win over Illinois.

Kill came to Minnesota after spending three seasons on the sidelines at Northern Illinois University. Kill led the Huskies to three consecutive bowl games during his tenure. He also coached NIU to a berth the Mid-American Conference Championship game in 2010. Kill put together a 23-16 record in his three seasons with the Huskies.

In three seasons, Kill coached two winners of the Mid-American Conference Vern Smith Leadership Award, given annually to the conference's top football player. Defensive end Larry English won the award in 2008, Kill's first season with the Huskies. Running back Chad Spann was honored as the conference's top player in 2010. English went on to be the No. 16 overall choice in the 2009 NFL Draft and currently plays for the San Diego Chargers.

During the 2010 season, Kill mentored six first-team All-MAC selections. In his three seasons, the Huskies earned 10 first-team all-MAC honors. His 2010 squad ranked No. 7 in the nation in rushing offense, No. 12 in scoring offense, No. 19 in total offense, No. 14 in scoring defense, No. 26 in total defense, No. 24 in rushing defense and No. 44 in passing defense.

Following the 2010 season, Kill was named the National Coach of the Year by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In 2009, Kill was presented with the National Football Foundation Courage Award by the Chicago Metro Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Kill's overall collegiate head coaching record stands at 130-82 in 18 seasons. In four previous stops as a head coach, he has never left a school with a sub-.500 record. In three of his previous four head coaching positions, he took over a team with a losing record and turned in a winning season in three years or less.