Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Kill Details Football's Turnaround At AFCA Convention
01/18/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Jan. 18, 2004
By Seth Whitehead
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE -
Jerry Kill does not mince words when describing his recent experience at the American Football Coaches Association Conference in Orlando, Fla.
"I told my wife, 'Hey honey, if I die tomorrow, I'll die a happy man,'" Kill said.
The reason? Not only was Kill recognized as the Region IV National Coach of the Year, but he was the lone Division I-AA coach to speak at the event.
It was clearly a landmark moment in his career - and for his resurgent program.
The Southern Illinois University head football coach ranks the experience as one of the four best moments of his life, right along with his wedding day and the births of his two daughters.
Sounds like a bit of a stretch -- until you put things into perspective.
Consider that just a little less than four years ago, Kill was sharing an apartment in Carbondale with three of his assistant coaches. He had just taken over one of Division I-AA's perennial doormats, and he was told by many locals that the program was more than likely going to remain a doormat.
A 1-10 record his first year did little to sway the pessimists. Things were not looking good.
Fast-forward to Jan. 6., 2004.
Coming off a 10-2 season and a Gateway Conference championship, Kill's program is being recognized by literally thousands of his peers at the AFCA Convention - including some of the biggest names in the business.
"You're up there with guys like Pete Carroll and Bobby Stoops and Lloyd Carr - the elite of the elite, you know," Kill said.
And as Kill and other head coaches from the nation's various conference champions file into a ceremony honoring them, the name Southern Illinois University flashes up on a big screen. Kill is overcome with pride.
"It was just an unbelievable experience to walk in there," Kill said. "You're up there with the elite in college football. Then there's Southern Illinois. We're right up there with the conference champs (on the big screen). It was just a great feeling.
As Kill was sitting next to Carroll, who coached USC to the Associated Press national-championship this year, he couldn't help but pinch himself.
"Sometimes you look up there and you're with the elite of college football and with the best in coaching the game," Kill said. "I mean, you're sitting up there, looking around saying, 'What am I doing here?' It was a tremendous honor."
As surreal as the experience was, there is no doubt Kill deserved to be there.
In his speech, he got the opportunity to explain the Salukis' unlikely turnaround. He gave thanks and credit to his players, coaches and support staff -- all of which were integral to last year's success.
"The biggest thing is our coaching staff and myself got to kinda tell our story on what happened here at Southern Illinois," Kill said, "how we did it and how we recruited here when we were 1-10 and the philosophy we have in our program. We got to share that with fellow coaches throughout the country."
Kill just missed winning I-AA National Coach of the Year, finishing just 10 votes shy of the honor, but the week was still overwhelmingly rewarding.
He even had the opportunity to get a photograph with Gen. Tommy Franks.
"To get my picture with Gen. Franks, it was just icing on the cake," Kill said. "Then when we got on the plane to come home our pilot was an SIU graduate, and he kind of welcomed us on the plane over the intercom. It was a great four or five days for the Salukis.
"It is an unbelievable experience, what these kids have done for us. I love our football team and I appreciate what they've done for us."
