Bart Scott knows Tracy Claeys.
Not only did the future NFL linebacker play for defensive coordinator Claeys at Southern Illinois in 2001, Scott lived in Claeys' home when he went back to Carbondale, Ill., to earn his economics degree in 2005.
"You just get to see the person behind the coach: the leadership, the football acumen," Scott told the Pioneer Press on Thursday.
Claeys was promoted from Gophers defensive coordinator to interim head coach Wednesday morning when Jerry Kill suddenly retired for health reasons. In the evening, Claeys quickly stated his desire to be Kill's long-term replacement.