Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Jerry Kill Named AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year
12/10/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Dec. 10, 2004
WACO, Texas - For the second year in a row, Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill was named the American Football Coaches Association Region 4 Coach of the Year, as voted by the AFCA membership.
Kill, who led SIU to a 10-2 overall record and the Gateway Conference regular-season championship with a 7-0 mark, won the award in 2003 and was the only repeat winner in '04.
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the association's four divisions: I-A, I-AA, Division II (NCAA Division II and NAIA schools) and Division III. The winners are selected by active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
The AFCA will announce its four National Coach of the Year winners at the 2005 AFCA Convention in Louisville, Ky. on Jan. 11.
2004 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners
Division I-A
Region 1: Al Groh, University of Virginia
Region 2: Tommy Tuberville, Auburn University
Region 3: Barry Alvarez, University of Wisconsin
Region 4: Mike Price, University of Texas-El Paso
Region 5: Urban Meyer, University of Utah
Division I-AA
Region 1: Sean McDonnell, University of New Hampshire
Region 2: David Bennett, Coastal Carolina University
Region 3: Jack Crowe, Jacksonville State University
Region 4: Jerry Kill, Southern Illinois University
Region 5: Rich Ellerson, California Polytechnic State University
Division II (NCAA Division II and NAIA schools)
Region 1: Rocky Rees, Shippensburg University
Region 2: Steve Mullins, Arkansas Tech University
Region 3: Bernie Anderson, Michigan Tech University
Region 4: Pat Ross, Lindenwood University
Region 5: Bob Stitt, Colorado School of Mines
Division III (NCAA Division III schools)
Region 1: Chuck Priore, Trinity College (Conn.)
Region 2: G.A. Mangus, Delaware Valley College
Region 3: Jimmie Keeling, Hardin-Simmons University
Region 4: Tim Rucks, Carthage College
Region 5: Terry Horan, Concordia-Moorhead College (Minn.)
Award History: The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year.
The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division.
In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners. The number of divisions was increased from two to the four we now have, and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20. The 2004 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2005 AFCA Convention in Louisville, Ky. The dinner is scheduled for January 11.
