Jerry Kill and the University of Minnesota didn't necessarily divorce this week. They just agreed to be friends.

Months of conversations led the two parties to a mutual decision that the former football coach won't return to the university in a full-time capacity. The school will use Kill's gift for fire-up-the-masses public speaking on a contract basis.

This resolution ends a delicate dance that has festered behind the scenes and led to hard feelings, particularly among Kill's confidants.

Kill remains popular with fans and prominent boosters, many of whom blame the school, namely President Eric Kaler, for failing to bring Kill back in a leadership position.

Truth is, neither side is blatantly wrong or to blame for this outcome. And the decision they came to is best for both parties.

Mistakes were made in their handling of the matter, but they seemed to operate under conflicting agendas all along, based on numerous conversations with university officials and people close to Kill.

Kill appeared to want a fairly prominent role inside the athletic department. Not the athletic director job per se, but something with a measure of authority.

He's passionate about college athletics, he still maintains influence statewide and he believes his experience could be a valuable resource beyond fundraising.

The university envisioned Kill in an "ambassador" role, a big-picture position that would use his popularity as an asset in fundraising and other social engagements.

Ultimately, the two sides couldn't agree on the right fit to satisfy a clause in Kill's contract that called for a $200,000 position if health issues forced him to step away as football coach.

Neither side wants to look culpable for failed negotiations, but reaction reflects differing views about where things stand.

"I'm more hurt by it than I am mad," Kill said.

"Looking forward to continuing our relationship with Jerry, already planning some great engagement this spring," interim athletic director Beth Goetz wrote in a tweet.

Goetz and Kill had frequent conversations after his resignation in late October about Kill returning to Dinkytown in some non-coaching capacity. Goetz made a good-faith effort.

Kaler did not contact Kill until recently, which frustrated Kill supporters. (University sources note that Kaler was out of the country for some of that time.)

Kill and Kaler shared multiple conversations in recent weeks, but they couldn't find common ground on a job.

Public opinion appears split on whether this is good or bad for the university. Actually, it's a reasonable compromise, if not entirely popular.

School officials undeniably angered a segment of boosters who admire Kill and remain upset about how his tenure as coach ended. Damage control is needed to smooth things over.

Nobody championed facilities upgrades more passionately than Kill. He begged and pushed and, at one point, half-jokingly threatened to rent a backhoe and start digging if the school offered any more delays.

Kill took on even more public speaking appearances and time commitments on behalf of the facilities project after athletic director Norwood Teague resigned in disgrace.

Kill ran himself into the ground, causing his health to deteriorate to a point that he could no longer coach. He worked himself to complete exhaustion.

Some of Kill's supporters — including wealthy donors — believe the school is complicit in his physical unraveling. Whether you believe that or not, that perception exists.

One of Kill's greatest strengths is that he's a stubborn workaholic. And one of his greatest weaknesses is that he's a stubborn workaholic. He seems incapable of knowing when, or how, to slow down.

And regardless of whatever position he might have accepted within the athletic department, he will always be a football coach. That could've been problematic.

Gophers football now belongs to Tracy Claeys. It's his program to run how he sees fit. He's the boss.

Kill's shadow would have enwrapped the program if he had a daily presence within the athletic department. It's no secret that Kill became upset with Claeys after he fired offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski after the season.

Claeys can use Kill as an adviser and sounding board, but he deserves the chance to put his own stamp on the program without people wondering if Kill actually calls shots.

Jerry Kill still can have a meaningful presence in Gophers athletics and the entire university. The school has raised only half of the $166 million price tag for the facilities project. The next athletic director could do worse than have Kill as a public advocate who schmoozes with donors.

The two sides couldn't settle on a permanent job for Kill, but he should remain part of the Gopher family in some capacity.

chip.scoggins@startribune.com