Mitch Leidner’s favorite story involving retired coach Jerry Kill took place in Chicago.
Leidner, the Minnesota quarterback, was with defensive end Theiren Cockran and defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun when they were being seated at Mike Ditka’s restaurant this year when the waiter mentioned the restaurant’s namesake was in the building.
The Gophers’ three Big Ten media day representatives walked upstairs to try to catch a glimpse of the former Bears coach, only getting close enough to hear Ditka and see he was seated in a private room. They didn’t want to intrude.
Arriving shortly after his players, Kill wondered what all the fuss was about.