Kill a ‘perfect fit' for Northern Illinois

Former Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill (left) was named Northern Illinois’ football coach, replacing the retiring Joe Novak. Kill finished with a 12-2 record in his final season at SIU. AP file photo

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Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill became the 20th football coach in Northern Illinois University history Thursday. Kill, who has led the Salukis to five straight Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances, replaces Joe Novak, who resigned following a 2-10 season Nov. 26. Kill owns a 64.6 winning percentage and earned his 100th career victory this season while leading SIU to a 12-2 record. Southern Illinois fell a game short of the 2007 FCS championship game after suffering a 20-17 loss to Delaware Saturday. “During an exhaustive search, it became very clear that Jerry Kill is a perfect fit for Northern Illinois University,” said Jim Phillips, NIU athletic director. “Everyone we talked to spoke very highly of coach Kill, from his peers in the coaching profession to his former players and athletic administrators. He is familiar with our program and with recruiting in the state of Illinois, and he is committed to developing his student-athletes socially, academically and athletically.” Kill took a floundering Southern Illinois program and built it into one of the premier teams in the FCS. Under Kill, the Salukis notched a 55-32 record. SIU won at least 10 games three times, including a career-best 12 this season. Southern Illinois claimed back-to-back 10-2 records in Kill's third and fourth seasons in 2003 and 2004. Southern Illinois wasn't known for winning prior to Kill. Five Saluki coaches had only two winning seasons in the previous 17 before Kill, who has five straight winning seasons since enduring a 4-8 campaign in 2002. SIU has also won three straight Gateway Conference championships under Kill. Previously, SIU had never won the conference crown. Southern Illinois also bucked its playoff trend, going to the postseason four times under Kill, who was linked to the Colorado State opening that eventually went to Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. SIU had been to the playoffs only once prior to Kill's hiring. Kill comes to Northern Illinois with a 104-57 career record in 14 seasons as a collegiate head coach at Southern Illinois (2001-07), Emporia State (1999-2000) and Saginaw Valley State (1994-98). Over the last five seasons, his Saluki teams won 50 games and have been ranked in the FCS Top 20 for 64 straight weeks. “It's a great opportunity to come here to Northern Illinois and be able to be a part of the program that coach Novak has built and to join the Huskie family,” said Kill. “This is an exciting time for my wife and I. After meeting with Jim (Phillips) and President (John) Peters and seeing their commitment to the football program, with the facilities, the academic support system and everything that has been put in place, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be the head coach at Northern Illinois.” Kill's work with the Salukis is reminiscent of Novak's 12-year tenure at Northern Illinois. The Huskies had only two winning seasons from NIU's California Bowl season in 1983 - ironically the year Southern Illinois won its lone national title - until Novak was hired in 1996. Novak suffered through a 3-34 record before winning 58 of his next 90 games. The Huskies went to two bowl games (2004 and 2006) and shared four Mid-American Conference West Division championships (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005). “The great thing is that I get a chance to be a part of the tradition that Coach Novak has built here at NIU,” Kill said. “He's done all the hard work of building this program and he's passing the torch on to me to carry it on. I want to make him proud and make all the alums and former players proud and carry on the strong tradition that he has built.” Current University of South Florida defensive coordinator Dan McCarney was one of the favorites to take over the opening. The Tampa Tribune reported McCarney, a former Iowa State coach, interviewed with NIU. Also in the running were Grand Valley State University coach Chuck Martin and University of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood. Sports Editor Nick Gerts can be reached at ngerts@daily-chronicle.com.