Coaches, executives react to Mark Coyle's big move to Minnesota

"In many ways, Mark is coming home."
— University President Eric Kaler
"They couldn't have hired a better guy. I'm really happy for him and his family. He's paid his dues. He knows Minnesota, he understands the culture there at that university. He'll take them in the right direction, that's for sure."
— Tubby Smith, former Gophers men's basketball coach who also worked with Coyle at Kentucky
"My recollection of Mark was that he was a very classy guy, very professional guy, made a very good appearance — the type of guy that you like representing your athletic program and your university."
— Glen Mason, former Gophers football coach
"It's a job that fits him, fits Minnesota, fits President Kaler. I think it's one heck of a hire. Mark is relatively quiet. He's not boisterous, but he is determined. He's competitive. He's a tremendously caring person with great integrity. Great relationships with people."
— Joel Maturi, former Gophers AD who was Coyle's superior during Coyle's first stint at the U

"It's an absolute grand slam. I've known Mark for 15, 20 years. From an experience perspective, national contacts in the industry, he's absolutely the total package."
— Craig Thompson, commissioner of the Mountain West Conference and a name mentioned by several Gophers boosters as a possible U candidate

"I speak to his kids — Nicholas, Benjie and Grace — and his wife, Krystan. And I had no sign. Nobody [at Syracuse had a sign]. None of us. Nobody had an inkling. It was a shock to all of us.''
— Floyd Little, former Syracuse football All-America who worked for Coyle as special assistant to the athletic director

"I would say it's a surprise. I really liked Mark Coyle. I thought he was really good. Thought he had a good grip on everything in a relatively short period of time. It's shocking. I like him a lot. I thought he was doing great."
— Jim Boeheim, legendary Syracuse men's basketball coach