Gophers LB Coach Sherels Hospitalized With 'Unexpected Surgery'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- University of Minnesota linebackers coach Mike Sherels was hospitalized on Tuesday for an unexpected surgery, team officials said Wednesday.

Officials said Sherels also underwent a medical procedure last week before the football team reported for fall camp. Sherels, a Rochester native, has been the Gophers' linebackers coach since 2014.

"Mike is Minnesota football," coach Tracy Claeys said in a statement. "There are few things that are more important to him than this university and this football program."

Sherels is a 2007 graduate of Minnesota and earned his master's degree in 2014. He played for the Gophers from 2003-07 and was a captain his last two years. His brother, Marcus Sherels, plays special teams and defense for the Vikings. Marcus Sherels did not make the trip to Cincinnati this week as the Vikings play their first preseason game there Friday night.