Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was named interim head coach for the remaining five games this season. He'll lead the team from the TCF Bank Stadium sidelines Saturday night against Michigan, just as he led the program in 2013 when he subbed for Jerry Kill after the coach suffered seizures and had to step away. More about the Gophers coach for the rest of 2015 — and possibly beyond:

Age: 46 Hometown: Clay Center, Kansas

College: Kansas State (B.A., mathematics education, 1994)

With the Gophers: Claeys has served as defensive coordinator since arriving as part of Jerry Kill's coaching team in 2011. He was named associate head coach in 2014. When Kill took time off to address his health issues in 2013, Claeys stepped in as acting head coach for seven games and posted a 4-3 record.

With Kill: In 1995, Kill hired Claeys to coach the defensive line at Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State, beginning their 21-year partnership. Claeys has remained on Kill's staff ever since. He became Kill's defensive coordinator at Emporia (Kansas) State in 1999 and retained that position as Kill moved to Southern Illinois (2001-07), Northern Illinois (2008-10) and the Gophers.

Accolades: Claeys' defenses often have been highly ranked. In 2014, the Gophers allowed 24.2 points per game, tied for 33rd in the nation; in 2013, their 22.2 points per game ranked 25th. He has been nominated for the Frank Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in college football, in each of the past two years.

Top players: With the Gophers, Claeys has coached four first-team all-Big Ten picks in the past two seasons: Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Damien Wilson, Ra'Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen. Claeys-coached players who were selected in the NFL draft or signed as free agents include Wilson, Hageman, Vereen, Cedric Thompson, Cameron Botticelli and Derrick Wells. Claeys also developed first-round NFL draftees Larry English at Northern Illinois and Lamar King at Saginaw Valley State.

Did you know?: Claeys began college at Kansas and was offered a place on the school's bowling team, but he chose to become a student assistant for the football team under coach Glen Mason — who later coached the Gophers.

RACHEL BLOUNT