Kiel to return as UC begins spring football

Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 12:35 p.m. EST February 24, 2016


The University of Cincinnati is scheduled to begin spring football practice Thursday, with quarterback Gunner Kiel expected back after missing the Bearcats' 2015 Hawaii Bowl game for undisclosed personal reasons.

UC will stage its first spring workout at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Sheakley Athletics Center practice bubble on campus. Practices are closed to the public.

UC coach Tommy Tuberville announced Jan. 24 that Kiel, who will be a fifth-year senior, had rejoined the team and returned to school. Kiel missed the Bearcats' Hawaii Bowl loss to San Diego State, after being UC's starting quarterback for most of the past two seasons.

Kiel has his undergraduate degree from UC and will be in graduate school as a fifth-year senior, Tuberville said.

Kiel threw for 2,777 yards and 19 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season, in 10 appearances. Kiel missed some time earlier in the year with injuries. UC went 7-6 overall, including 6-4 in games started by Kiel. In his first year as UC starter in 2014, Kiel tied the Bearcats' season record with 31 touchdown passes as UC went 9-4.

Hayden Moore, a redshirt freshman this past year, spelled Kiel at several junctures in 2015 including the 42-7 bowl loss to San Diego State on Christmas Eve. Kiel must work to regain the starting job, Tuberville said last month.

"As I told him, he'll start from the bottom and work back up," Tuberville said. "We all know what he's done over the last couple years. He's had some highlights and some lowlights. He's got the potential but again, this is his last and senior year coming up. I expect him to be a leader."

UC spokesman Ryan Koslen said Kiel may not be immediately available to reporters, as the team works Kiel back into the mix. It is not known when Kiel might speak to the media.

COACHING SEARCH: UC again is on the coaching hunt, with former co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale headed to Kentucky as defensive backs coach and former running backs coach Jim Turner having left to coach the Texas A&M offensive line. Tuberville is expected to bring in several candidates as spring ball proceeds.

SPRING GAME: The annual spring game is scheduled for Saturday April 2, with time and location to be announced. The game will be open to the public.

KICKOFF: The season opener is against UT-Martin on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Nippert Stadium (time TBA).

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80854328/

i'm actually curious to see how Coach Taylor can help Kiel/Moore and Co. This is a huge year for Kiel for obvious reasons. While i fully expect him to regain his starting spot, i hope that nothing is given. Hopefully Coach Taylor's offense can maximize the potential that Kiel possesses.

It's been kind of hard for me to get interested in another year of football, after this past season. Still, there's a lot of talent there, I'm confident whoever gets the starting job will be a damn fine QB. I just hope for Kiel's sake, he can play at his best and stay healthy.

At least his grandkids get to see him play one more year

(02-25-2016 11:39 AM)shere khan Wrote:  At least his grandkids get to see him play one more year

I don't understand the comment. Does Memphis not have any 5th year seniors?

(02-25-2016 11:44 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 11:39 AM)shere khan Wrote:  At least his grandkids get to see him play one more year

I don't understand the comment. Does Memphis not have any 5th year seniors?

I assumed he was referencing Kiels hairline, which appears to be one of the only things the gene pool short changed him on... because damn, that hairline is about 25 years older than Kiel.

Or not. I dont know. This is weird now...

Tuberville: Gunner Kiel must earn job back
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 12:04 p.m. EST February 25, 2016


Quarterback Gunner Kiel was back in action as the University of Cincinnati began spring football practice Thursday morning, UC’s first on-field appearance since Kiel missed the 2015 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

With snow showers flying outside, UC began spring drills in the warmth of its Sheakley Athletics Center indoor bubble. And Kiel was there, wearing his familiar No. 11 jersey.

Kiel did not attend UC’s 42-7 bowl loss to San Diego State because of undisclosed personal reasons. Now a fifth-year senior and graduate student, Kiel is trying to regain his job after being the UC starter for most of the past two years.

“He’s back, he’s on the depth chart and he’s going to have to work his way up,” UC coach Tommy Tuberville said. “He’s doing good, real good.”

Kiel is not yet available for media interviews. It may be next week before Kiel might be available to reporters, UC football communications director Ryan Koslen said.

Kiel threw for 2,777 yards and 19 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season, in 10 appearances. Kiel missed some time earlier in the year with injuries. UC went 7-6 overall, including 6-4 in games started by Kiel.

In two years at UC, Kiel has thrown for 6,031 yards, 50 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. In his first year as starter in 2014, Kiel tied the UC season record with 31 touchdown passes.

Kiel is a Notre Dame transfer. He was ranked by multiple recruiting services as the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect while in high school in Columbus, Indiana.

Hayden Moore, who will be a sophomore this season, spelled Kiel at several junctures in 2015 including the bowl loss. Redshirt freshman Ross Trail, the most highly regarded UC recruit in the 2015 class, could also be a factor this season.

UC senior running back Tion Green said the players enjoyed seeing Kiel in uniform again.

“It feels great to have your pilot of the ship back,” Green said. “It feels great to have Hayden too, because those guys can both step in and do a great job. It’s just a comfortable feeling knowing that (Kiel) is back. It feels like family again.”

COACH WATCH: UC is seeking two assistant coaches to replace former co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale and former running backs coach Jim Turner, who left to become defensive backs coach at Kentucky and offensive line coach at Texas A&M, respectively. Clinkscale called the UC defense last year, thus UC needs a new coordinator.

Tuberville said he will interview some prospective candidates during spring ball. For now, linebackers coach Jeff Koonz and co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Robert Prunty are helping run the defense. Special teams coordinator Ty Linder is also coaching running backs.

Tuberville said he will not rush to fill the jobs, wanting to get them right.

“It’s not a sense of urgency,” Tuberville said. “It wouldn’t hurt to probably get the defensive guy here to work with these guys a little bit, but it’s more important that we get the right guy. They’re going to have plenty of time to coach.”

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80922626/

Why does every Kiel article mention Notre Dame? I don't recall him ever taking a snap for them, and as far as I'm concerned he is a Cincinnati Bearcat through and through.

(02-25-2016 09:31 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  Why does every Kiel article mention Notre Dame? I don't recall him ever taking a snap for them, and as far as I'm concerned he is a Cincinnati Bearcat through and through.

Agreed. In year 3 at UC, it no longer seems relevant to keep bringing it up every time he is mentioned.

(02-25-2016 11:39 AM)shere khan Wrote:  At least his grandkids get to see him play one more year

That's actually pretty funny lol

(02-25-2016 11:44 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 11:39 AM)shere khan Wrote:  At least his grandkids get to see him play one more year

I don't understand the comment. Does Memphis not have any 5th year seniors?

Troll Khan is a troll and one must troll upward.

(02-25-2016 09:31 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  Why does every Kiel article mention Notre Dame? I don't recall him ever taking a snap for them, and as far as I'm concerned he is a Cincinnati Bearcat through and through.

Never seen anything like it before. Might as well toss in his junior HS.

(02-25-2016 09:31 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  Why does every Kiel article mention Notre Dame? I don't recall him ever taking a snap for them, and as far as I'm concerned he is a Cincinnati Bearcat through and through.

Because they are being nice. If thev wanted to be mean thet would quote les miles

Speaking of spring practice. We're 4 practices or so deep and there seems to be no coverage (outside of paid sites) anywhere. I guess there must not be much interest.

(03-02-2016 12:54 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  Speaking of spring practice. We're 4 practices or so deep and there seems to be no coverage (outside of paid sites) anywhere. I guess there must not be much interest.

Sucks, but 7-6 records will tend to do that. Thank God for Chad Brendel (Chad is moving into Tim Adams's spot for football).

(03-02-2016 01:03 PM)Brian_Johnson Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 12:54 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  Speaking of spring practice. We're 4 practices or so deep and there seems to be no coverage (outside of paid sites) anywhere. I guess there must not be much interest.

Sucks, but 7-6 records will tend to do that. Thank God for Chad Brendel (Chad is moving into Tim Adams's spot for football).

Yep, Chad is doing a real nice job so far.

Here's a good Dan Hoard article on the OL coach from GoBearcats.com. Love what I am hearing:

HOARD: O-Line Should Benefit From Addition Of Grimes

March 2, 2016

Dan Hoard
GoBEARCATS.com

Cincinnati added 23 new players on National Signing Day last month, but Tommy Tuberville’s biggest recruiting coup this year might have happened a few weeks earlier when he convinced J.B. Grimes to join his coaching staff.

The veteran offensive line coach has more than 30 years of college experience and spent the last three seasons at Auburn. During Grimes’ tenure, the Tigers led the nation in rushing in 2013 and played for a BCS Championship that season. The players he mentored at Auburn included the second pick in the 2014 NFL draft in tackle Greg Robinson, and a Rimington Trophy winner in center Reese Dismukes.

“He’s a typical offensive line coach,” said Tuberville. “He’s about 5’9” and has the voice of a 6’8” guy. That’s the type of guy that it takes to coach offensive lines. I really thrilled to have him. He’s going to be great for the program.”

The question is, how did the Cincinnati head coach lure Grimes away from a traditional SEC power?

“I had a couple of aces in the hole in getting him here,” said Tuberville. “One, I’ve known him all my life. He’s from Arkansas and I’ve followed his career and he’s followed mine. Two, his son Nick is on the staff as a graduate assistant and coaches tight ends and I think that was a lure also. I called him and took a chance that he might be interested. I think Gus (Malzahn) was making some changes at Auburn and bringing some different guys in, and I think it was just perfect timing for us to be able to lure a guy like J.B. here.”

“Coach Tuberville and I have always wanted to work together,” said Grimes. “I’m just a dumb assistant, but he’s been a head coach for 20 years. I’m a career assistant and proud of it. I’ve worked for a lot of football coaches including six or seven Hall of Fame coaches and I’m working for another one now. Tommy Tuberville is a Hall of Fame coach – he’s in the Arkansas Hall of Fame right now. I’ve learned something from everybody that I’ve ever worked for and I’ve always wanted to work for Coach Tuberville. There were other circumstances in the past where life got in the way. But this was a chance to work with a guy that I really like and really respect as a coach, and I also have an opportunity to coach with my son.”

Grimes has coached for Frank Beamer and Lou Holtz among others, and comes with the reputation for being an excellent instructor of offensive line fundamentals.

“He is truly a technique guy,” said Tuberville. “Most guys like to do the ‘Xs and Os’ and don’t like to teach. He’s a true teacher and I needed somebody to come in and get our offensive line technique-sound and that’s what he started to do from day one.”

“Man, I love him,” said junior tackle Korey Cunningham. “I love that he’s hard on us and very precise with every little step we take. I have some friends that played for him at Auburn that said, ‘He’s going to get you to the next level.’ I’ve learned more with him over the last couple of days than I’ve learned in all of my years of playing football. He’s demanding and he’s going to get it out of us.”

At Cincinnati’s fourth spring training practice on Tuesday, it was easy to see that Grimes has a passion for teaching the intricacies of offensive line play.

“We don’t score touchdowns,” said Grimes. “I tell people that if you want to rob a bank, the best place to hide is the offensive line because ain’t nobody going to look for you there. We block people, ya know? There’s nothing romantic or sexy about it. We just have a passion for it if you’re the right kind of guy. I’d like to think that I’m that kind of guy.”

A guy who is arguably Cincinnati’s most important recruit in 2016.

“He’s here to stay and loves to recruit and we’re a little bit behind in some areas on the offensive line,” said Tuberville. “He has really worked hard to try to figure out as quickly as he possibly can what we need. It’s going to be fun to watch.”

“I have no agenda,” said Grimes. “I just want to coach the five guys up front. Let’s get better and go win some football games. That’s all I want to do.”

I’d love to hear from you at Dan.Hoard@Bengals.nfl.net

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And I’m on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dan.hoard.1

https://t.co/UA6OG7mXmO

Clifton and Dan Hoard... that article is OUTSTANDING!!!