Smart. Tough. Dependable.
DEFENSE Keys to the Gopher Defense • Tough, attacking unit. • Play smart football. • Play with enthusiasm. • Have fun.
Tim Cross, assoc. head coach & defensive line
• Named the 2008 Big Ten Recruiter of the Year and one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation by Rivals. • Mentored NFL draft selections Jameel Mclain, James Wyche and Ryan LaCasse while at Syracuse and Daniel Graham and Andre Woolfolk while at Thomas Jefferson H.S. (Colo.). • Was a four-year letterwinner and an All-North Central Conference linebacker at Northern Colorado. • A family-orientated recruited, Cross has studied under the likes of Mack Brown and Greg Robinson. • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota – Western; Texas – Dallas/Ft. Worth; Maryland; National Defensive Linemen
John Butler,
linebackers & special teams
• While serving as an assistant at Harvard, the Crimson won the 2004 Ivy League crown and finished the year ranked No. 12 in the nation with a 10-0 record. • Butler’s special teams unit ranked first in the Ivy League in 2004 while his linebackers were part of a Harvard defense that also led the conference. • Was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at Catholic. Also played basketball and was part of the Cardinals 1992-93 NCAA tournament team. • A straight-forward recruiter who has signed several nationally recognized players including Simoni Lawrence – considered to be one of the top college linebackers of his class. • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota – Metro; Pennsylvania; Ohio; New Jersey; National Linebackers; National Specialists
8 * Minnesota Football