Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle revealed his competitive side in an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday.

Coyle, who has been on the job for three months and is entering his first season leading the department, told the fans gathered around the University of Minnesota building: "We want to win, I'm a very competitive person.

"I've had a chance to talk with all of our coaches and spend time with them," Coyle said, "and I made it very clear we're in the Big Ten. We want to compete at a high level. We want to compete for Big Ten championships and put ourselves in position to play for special postseason opportunities.

"Our Olympic sports are doing a phenomenal job. We'll continue to support those programs and help them grow. But there is no question we want football, men's basketball, men's hockey, women's basketball, those programs, to compete at a high level."

JASON GONZALEZ