Jerry Kill has announced that he is stepping down as head football coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
USA Today Sports noted that Kill broke the news during an emotional press conference Wednesday and stated that his decision was based on the advice of his doctor.
The 54-year-old has been battling epilepsy since 2005 and had two seizures before attending practice on Tuesday.
“I don’t want to be a liability. I don’t want somebody to have to worry about if I’m going to drop on the field,” he explained.
He added that his doctor told him if he continues to coach that it could led to even more neurological problems.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that prior to yesterday, Kill said he hadn’t had a seizure in more than a year. In 2013, he had a seizure on the sideline at halftime against Western Illinois. Less than a month later, another seizure kept him from traveling to the game at Michigan and he was forced to take a two-week leave then.
His record with the team over the last five seasons is 29-29. He coached the Gophers to bowl games the last three years.