Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Spring practices start for football
03/30/2006 | 12:00:00 | Football
March 30, 2006
By Brian Feldt
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Head coach Jerry Kill was sporting a straw cowboy hat on Wednesday afternoon which meant one thing-the Saluki football team was back in practice mode.
For the first time since November 19th, the Salukis took the field to kick off spring practices.
"I couldn't wait to get out here," said Kill. "I barely got any sleep last night. It is fantastic to be out here because this is what I love to do."
For now, though, the team is adjusting to life after Joel Sambursky.
For the first time in four years McAndrew Stadium was minus #12. The star quarterback led the Salukis to three consecutive winning seasons. Sambursky brought life back to a program that had not seen a winning season since 1991, when the team went 7-4.
"When you lose a guy like that, you lose your comfort zone," said Kill. "Now we have to run practice and go back to teaching, but that's the fun part of coaching."
Seemingly, Nick Hill will be stepping in to fill the void left by Sambursky. However, Hill is quick to not let anyone jump to conclusions.
"I am not going to say I am the starter until day one, and I run out there on the field," said Hill. "If you do that then you let up, and somebody else gets your job."
Kill, who has repeatedly said that Hill is in the mix with Jon Cairns for the starting quarterback job, liked what he saw from his quarterback on Wednesday.
"Nick did a good job," Kill said. "I haven't seen a quarterback in the 23 years I have been coaching that has looked great on the first day because we throw so much at him. He will be good, and he will get better the next practice. It takes some time."
Hill's practice mentality and work ethic do not go unnoticed by his teammates.
"Nick Hill is by far the hardest worker on the team," said wide receiver, Alan Turner. "I don't want to admit it, because I want that title, but he is."
Hill also expressed that all jobs are up in the air during spring practice.
"Everybody is competing," said Hill. "They wouldn't be out here practicing if they didn't want to start"
Players participated in a wide variety of drills that ranged from one-on-one tackling drills to offensive vs. defensive scrimmaging. Coach Kill, however, saw room for improvement.
"The heart and desire is there," said Kill. "But you can't expect to look sharp in your first practice back. We will get better."
The Salukis bring a younger look to camp after losing 46 seniors in the past two years.
"All the guys are really eager and looking forward to learn," said Kill. "But they don't know much yet. Their attention span and attitude were great for the first practice."
Another new face in camp this year is assistant coach Carl Muack, who has served in the NFL as a player and coach for more than three decades.
Muack will be helping the tight ends and offensive tackles throughout the season.
"He brings 36 years of coaching and playing experience," said Kill. "He allows me to be freed up to have more input on our overall philosophy."
One of the biggest stories leading into the spring workouts was Kill's health.
Kill had kidney cancer last year but is confident his health is strong.
"I try not to think about it," said Kill." I feel good and it is great to be out here with the youngsters. That is what I love to do."
"He is out here at 5:30 in the morning being the normal Coach Kill that we know," Hill said. "He is ready to go."
