Gophers coach Jerry Kill’s turnaround has happened a lot more quickly at Minnesota than it did at his last program at Northern Illinois.

And it’s even surprised him a bit.

The Gophers (8-2, 4-2), who beat Penn State 24-10 Saturday, are on their first four-game Big Ten winning streak in 40 years and earned their first national ranking since 2008 Sunday, placing No. 25 in the USA Today coaches’ poll.

“We haven’t had three recruiting classes yet,” Kill said. “Everywhere else we had three recruiting classes. So that’s the unique thing about it.”

Kill praised his seniors for sticking with the program after experiencing back-to-back 3-9 seasons in 2010 and in his first year in 2011.

Twenty current players were recruited by former coach Tim Brewster’s staff, including seven starters.

“I think you’ve got to give credit to those kids and the combination of bringing kids in,” Kill said. “It’s become one heartbeat. Sometimes when you’re in that transition, it takes awhile.”

Former Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray was Brewster’s top recruit. He was able to go to a bowl game in his last season in 2012.

Gray, who is now a reserve tight end for the Cleveland Browns, stopped by Kill’s office Sunday to congratulate his old coach.

“We’re 8-2,” Gray said. “I love it. It’s great.”

Gray was impressed by the improvement of quarterback Philip Nelson and running back David Cobb, who have made significant contributions during the winning streak.

Cobb, who is 58 yards away from becoming the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006, was a member of Kill’s first class, half of which were recruited by Brewster.

“This next class that I’m working on today is critical,” Kill said. “You know the process is going to work because you believe in it. But you never know how fast something is going to go.”

Kill remembers when he was drawing a $60,000 salary as Emporia State’s football coach more than a decade ago.

He’s earning $1.2 million a year now, which ranks at the bottom of the Big Ten coaches.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler said Saturday that the school would discuss a possible adjustment of Kill’s salary after the season.

But Kill prefers that the university take care of his assistants and work on raising money for better facilities before he gets a big raise.

“Let’s get everything, what it takes for us to win,” Kill said. “Then when you feel comfortable that I deserve something, that’s fine.”

Former Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi, who was replaced by Norwood Teague in 2012, received a call from Kill on Saturday night.

Kill reflected back on the interviewing and hiring process with Maturi, radio personality Dave Mona, former University President Bob Bruininks and Kaler.

“They didn’t have to hire us,” Kill said. “(Maturi) gave us the opportunity. You’re always appreciative of that. Otherwise, who knows where I would’ve been or what would happen? He gave us the opportunity, and we’re all thankful for that.”

Booth or sideline?

Teague was asked Sunday on KFXN-FM 100.3 if he thought Kill would continue to coach from the press box for the rest of the season.

Kill, who took a medical leave of absence to deal with his epilepsy on Oct. 10, hasn’t coached on the sideline since the Big Ten opener against Iowa on Sept. 28.

“I think it’s just something we have to take day by day,” Teague said. “Jerry is in the middle of really making some good strides health-wise. He’s evaluating his progress all of the time. He’s learned a ton about his situation this year, more than any other year. … I’m still not convinced he can do any more on the field than what he does in the booth.”

Briefly

Brewster, who is now a recruiting coordinator at Florida State, congratulated the Gophers on his Twitter account Saturday (@TimBrewster). He also urged his former program to beat Wisconsin on Nov. 23. “I am so genuinely happy for Gopher team and fans!! Nobody deserves a winner more!! #WhipWisconsin!!” Brewster tweeted.

Follow Marcus R. Fuller at twitter.com/GophersNow.