Tracy Claeys' memorable time at Minnesota comes to a sudden end

Claeys, the team's defensive coordinator, adds "associate head coach" to his title in 2014.

Claeys goes 4-3 as acting head coach for the Gophers after Jerry Kill takes leave of absence because of health reasons.

Oct. 28: Claeys named interim head coach when Kill retires after seven games.

Nov. 11: The university gives Claeys a three-year contract for permanent coaching job.

Nov. 21: Claeys wins first game as permanent head coach vs. Illinois.

Dec. 28: The Gophers beat Central Michigan 21-14 in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Sept. 2: In the early morning hours after the Gophers' season opener, an incident occurs at an apartment near campus involving a woman and multiple players. The woman files a sexual assault report. While police investigate, four players are suspended from the team. The players were not arrested or charged.

Nov. 2: Restraining orders against four players, which kept them from TCF Bank Stadium, are negotiated down and the players return to full eligibility.

Nov. 26: Claeys completes his first full season as head coach with a disappointing 31-17 loss at Wisconsin. The Gophers finish 8-4 overall in the regular season, 5-4 in the Big Ten.

Nov. 28: Two days after the loss to Wisconsin, Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle answers uncertainty about Claeys returning next season with a statement that says: "He is our head football coach. … He has my full support."

Dec. 13: The U suspends 10 players from the team following a school investigation into an alleged sexual assault in September.

Dec. 15: Claeys finds himself at center of controversy when he tweets his support of his team's boycott over 10 suspended players allegedly involved in a sexual assault, "Have never been more proud of our kids. I respect their rights & support their effort to make a better world!"

Dec. 28: Coyle releases another statement, saying in part, "Coach Claeys and I will take this opportunity to reflect on this past season before sitting down together to talk about the future and my expectations for our football program."