Jerry Kill Assistant Returns to MN Gophers Staff
When Jerry Kill left the Minnesota Gophers program due to health issues, he handed things over to his buddy and assistant coach, Tracy Claeys, a handoff that took place mid-season 2016.
After a 9-6 finish in that multi-coach season, new athletic director Mark Coyle hired P.J. Fleck., who will coach his 10th season in 2026. There has been some bad blood directed from Kill at Fleck, over the years, a soap opera that the current Gopher coach has always taken the high road on.
On Friday, however, the Gopher football team announced their 2026 coaching staff, which looks similar, but different to what it did in 2025. We’ve covered most of the moves, but there was one surprise today.
Matt Limegrover back with the Minnesota Gophers
Matt Limegrover was a high-ranking coach on the MN Gophers staff from 2011 through 2015, first as Jerry Kill’s offensive coordinator, and eventually assistant head coach. In 2026, he is back in much less of a role — assistant offensive line coach.
Time to Get to Work 🚣🏽♀️ #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) January 16, 2026
📰 https://t.co/wFOElLwg4Q pic.twitter.com/lUy8lIyIJY
Limegrover initially landed at Penn State, where the Nittany Lions hired him as offensive line coach, a position he held through the 2019 season.
He then moved on to the same job at Arkansas State (2020-2022), before leaving for Kent State, where he’s spend the last three seasons. But on January 7, the 56-year-old veteran OL coach stepped down, in favor of a smaller role back in Minnesota.
Mission: Protect Drake Lindsey at all costs
Now back in Dinkytown, Limegrover will be tasked with better protecting the most important player in Minnesota’s football program, QB Drake Lindsey, who took 21 sacks last year, behind a disappointing Gopher offensive line.
With the coaching staff now set, Fleck can take his newly-acquired portal talent, pair it with a strong recruiting class, and look to advance beyond the 8-5 record Minnesota settled for in 2025.
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