Horton to replace Brewster on interim basis
Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Horton has been named the interim head coach of the Minnesota Gophers football team today, it was announced in a University of Minnesota press conference today. Athletic director Joel Maturi contradicted online reports late last night that Brewster would be released from the remainder of his contract but would stay on to finish out the season.
“While I appreciate the passion and commitment that Coach Brewster has shown, it is clear that a change in the leadership of Gopher football is necessary,” Maturi said in a statement. “We have high aspirations for our football program and we are not satisfied with its current direction. The results so far this season have been unacceptable.”
Maturi himself is now the man on the hot seat; although he deserves kudos for bringing Tubby Smith to the Gophers, he is also responsible for giving two head coaches significant raises months before firing them for poor performance. To save his own job, Maturi needs another Smith-level hire in replacing Brewster long-term; simply giving Horton the job if he wins one or two games to finish out the season would not be sufficient.
At least now Brewster can return to being a position coach, which has been his strength, for some other team. That, and hocking hoodia in Web flash videos.
