Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sean Salisbury claimed he has been retained by the family of Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill for private instruction and mentorship. Salisbury, now a radio personality, revealed the arrangement on his radio show Wednesday. However, a source close to Hill's family disputed the claim, telling The Dallas Morning News' SportsDay that no such agreement has been forged.
SportsDay reports that Hill's father, Ken Hill Sr., recently had a discussion with Salisbury, which was set up by a mutual friend. But they did not reach an agreement. Salisbury, in turn, has insisted that an agreement was indeed reached, but intimated that the Hill camp has backed off due to bad publicity Salisbury received upon his years-old ouster as an ESPN analyst. Salisbury has admitted taking an inappropriate photo of himself while at ESPN.
"We didn't sign a contract, I'm a handshake guy anyway. We agreed to it over the phone. ... I was supposed to talk to him today," Salisbury said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "And then last night they were 'taking a hit' on social media. ... I said I'm not going to walk on eggshells every time somebody says something about me ... Truth of the matter is I have plenty of clients. I'm doing this because I care about Kenny Hill. I got two really good jobs, I train plenty of quarterbacks and teach at plenty of camps. I added another guy because I care."
Hill is serving a two-game suspension, which was levied shortly after he lost the starting job midseason to freshman Kyle Allen. After a hot start to the season, Hill began struggling with a three-interception game against Mississippi State, the Aggies' first loss of the year, and culminated with a dreadful performance in a 59-0 loss to Alabama.
Hill will not travel with the Aggies to Auburn on Saturday.
Whereas private quarterback instruction is typically an offseason endeavor for college quarterbacks, Salisbury apparently wasn't inclined to wait, according to his Wednesday radio comments.
"Teach him how to approach the off-the-field stuff better. And to work with him on the field. Fix his mechanics, get him going. This is a critical point for him. I spent time talking to the family (Tuesday) night. Hopefully, we'll start this weekend. If not, we'll start early next week and carry it into the offseason and work his butt off," Salisbury said, according to transcription at dallasnews.com. Salisbury added that Aggies offensive coordinator Jake Spavital was aware of the arrangement.
The SportsDay report said the Hill family is comfortable with the coaching he is getting from Aggies coaches and notes Hill has also received private coaching from Richard Bartel.
Added Salisbury:
"If they decide to go in a different direction because of a social media thing from eight years ago, that's OK, too. ... Over a stupid pic in a drunk bar -- you know what, they knew that going in. I think you'd want someone who's been in those life experiences, at least that's what I was told. And I've been in that type of experience.
Salisbury added that he is hopeful that the Hill family follows through with the plan.
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