Interview with Coach Jerry Kill

You may have heard of Coach Jerry Kill from his days as Head Coach of the Minnesota Gophers. Of course you may know him from when he was awarded Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2014, or from when he was named to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. You may also know him as an advocate for people living with and affected by epilepsy.

Coach Jerry Kill, was recently named Offensive Coordinator for the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights football team. He retired from his position as Head Coach in October 2015 after experiencing epilepsy seizures, but he was able to gain control over his seizures in 2016 and began his new position at Rutgers University.

Coach Kill took a break from recruiting and coaching to speak with Jessica Keenan Smith, Founder of Living Well With Epilepsy about his new position and living with epilepsy.

Living Well With Epilepsy: Thank you for taking time out to speak with me today. Do you mind if I ask when you were diagnosed with epilepsy?

Coach Kill: Back in 2005 I had a Grand Mal seizure, though I may have had problems before then.

LWWE: I’m sure you know your players and your fans look up to you. Is there anything unique you do to manage your seizures.

CK: I’ve found that sleep is so important. I’ve also done meditation and yoga to help. And, taking time for yourself makes a difference. When I was Head Coach I used to get about two hours of sleep a night but now I’m able to sleep and take time for myself.

LWWE: Is there anything you want people reading this to know about epilepsy?

CK: When I was diagnosed I didn’t know anything about epilepsy. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as an epileptologist. Now I am lucky to have found a doctor who can help me manage my epilepsy. Raising awareness is so important.

That’s why I am participating in the #TackleEpilepsy campaign along with UCB and the Epilepsy Foundation. UCB will be donating $26,000 to the Epilepsy Foundation to recognize their support and to honor the one in 26 people who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.

LWWE: It sounds like a great campaign. Can anyone participate?

CK: Anyone can join #TackleEpilepsy by sharing your game face for the big game this Sunday. All you have to do is:

1. Take a photo of your best “game face”

2. Post on Facebook using the hashtag #TackleEpilepsy

LWWE: Coach, thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule. I know the Rutgers University community is thrilled that you have come to New Jersey. We wish you an outstanding season.

Jessica K. Smith Founder and CEO; Executive Director

Jessica Keenan Smith is a patient advocate and epilepsy community leader with more than 15 years of experience. As Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy and Executive Director of ASENT she bridges the gap between the scientific and patient communities, with a particular focus on the needs of the epilepsies. Jessica Keenan Smith is Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy, an award winning online resource for people affected by epilepsy to share stories and access in-depth information on the disease. Since 2009, Living Well With Epilepsy (https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com) has been featured in Forbes, Wired, NBC, NPR and the cover story of Epilepsy Advocate Magazine and has partnered with companies such as UCB, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Eisai, and more. Ms. Smith is also the Executive Director of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT) (https://asent.org), an organization that brings together leaders from industry, academia, government and advocacy who are engaged in bringing drugs and devices to market across all neurologic disease states. In this role she is responsible for leading a successful scientific journal and annual scientific conference with speakers from all over the world.

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