Gophers coach Jerry Kill is close to getting a raise and a contract extension, according to people within the athletics department.
The university has been trying to rework Kill's contract with a $300,000 annual raise and a one-year extension through 2019. Kill agreed to those terms months ago, but the sides have been negotiating other key details.
Kill, 53, fought to build raises for his assistant coaches into his last contract, and there are indications the recent holdup has been over something similar. The sides made more progress late this week and an announcement is expected before practice starts Friday.
Kill, the reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year, is currently slated to make $2.2 million this season in the second year of his five-year deal.
The raise to $2.5 million would still leave him eighth among the highest-paid Big Ten coaches, behind Urban Meyer, Jim Harbaugh, Kirk Ferentz, James Franklin, Mark Dantonio, Mike Riley and Pat Fitzgerald.
This week, Gophers athletics director Norwood Teague said, "We've been consistent in saying, when we have something to announce [with a coach's contract], we'll let you know."
Kill led the Gophers to an 8-5 record last year and its first New Year's Day bowl appearance since 1962.
Speaking generally about the way the university has handled its contract talks with Kill, Teague said, "I think it says that we're always going to be committed to him, and we feel very strongly about him."
Four-star receiver picks U
The Gophers made a big recruiting splash when they landed a commitment from Dredrick Snelson, a receiver from Pembroke Pines, Fla., who is ranked as the 96th best recruit in the Class of 2016 by ESPN.com.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Snelson also had reported offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and a host of other national powers. Rivals.com lists him as a four-star recruit and the No. 25 receiver in the country.
Snelson is close friends with two other players from Florida who have committed to the Gophers, twin brothers Elijah and Elisha Daniels. The Gophers now have 14 players committed in this class. Snelson announced the news on Twitter.
