Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Athletics reacts to Jerry Kill departure
09/16/2019 | 6:12:00 | General, Support
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Jerry Kill informed athletic department staff on Monday morning that he was stepping down as SIU's director of athletics to return to coaching. After serving for 16 months as the AD and having hired many of the coaches and administrators in the room, Kill said he was following his heart, and his passion will always be to coach football. He received a standing ovation from his staff. Liz Jarnigan, who Kill hired as SWA more than a year ago, was promoted to replace Kill as athletic director.
Liz Jarnigan, SIU's new Director of Athletics
"Like most everyone in the southern Illinois region, I'm very sorry to see Coach Kill leave SIU so soon. Good-bye is difficult when you are saying it to someone whose leadership and friendship has made such a profound impact. However, I'm honored to have the opportunity to build on his legacy of graduating student-athletes and winning championships. We've spent the past year working along with others in our department to build an overall athletic program that keeps students at the center and provides the university and entire region with a source of pride. I am fully committed to support our student-athletes, coaches and university to that end.
I want to thank my husband, Jeff, for supporting me as a coach and administrator for over 30 years. My children, Mary, Jack and Emily have also encouraged me to chase my own dreams as I've worked hard as a mom to encourage them to chase theirs. The culture of teamwork that I strive to achieve in our athletic department is best demonstrated by my family teammates at home."
Nick Hill, Football Head Coach and one of Kill's former players
"I think everybody knows the relationship I have with him. It's a player-to-coach relationship and I still look at him as my coach and someone who has changed the course of my life. I will always be indebted to him. It's been awesome having him around here. He's pushed me, made me better, as he's always gotten the best out of me, whether it was as a player or young coach. I will always support Coach Kill and be there for him as he's been there for me. Liz has been outstanding since she got here and has the respect of everybody in the building. I think it will be a seamless transition because we saw how well they worked together. I'm excited for her to get an opportunity to lead a department."
Bryan Mullins, Men's Basketball Head Coach
"I want to thank Coach Kill for the remarkable impact that he has made at SIU. His passion to help people, his work ethic, and his competitiveness has allowed him to be successful at every place he has been. Both times Coach Kill has been here he has left this university better than it was before. I will always be appreciative of Coach Kill for his belief in me and providing me an opportunity to come back to my alma mater and represent this great university once again. Moving forward, we are very lucky to be under the leadership of Liz Jarnigan. She is the perfect person to lead SIU Athletics into a new era of success."
Kerri Blaylock, Softball Head Coach
"My first reactions were surprise and sadness, but it switched immediately to happiness for him. He is a football coach. That's what he loves and who he is; and for that, I am happy for him and his family. He has been wonderful for our athletic department. He always pushed the envelope, which moved things forward to help all of our programs. He's a mentor and a great friend. I would call him at Northern Illinois, Minnesota, or Rutgers; and I will be on the phone with him at Virginia Tech. He is a phenomenal man. Right after Coach Kill announced he was leaving, my first hope was that Liz Jarnigan would be named AD. She and (Associate AD) Jeff Jones have been wonderful. Liz is very bright and a great administrator. She has outstanding qualifications and brings continuity to our staff; I'm happy that SIU recognized that and decided to keep her here."
Liz Jarnigan, SIU's new Director of Athletics
"Like most everyone in the southern Illinois region, I'm very sorry to see Coach Kill leave SIU so soon. Good-bye is difficult when you are saying it to someone whose leadership and friendship has made such a profound impact. However, I'm honored to have the opportunity to build on his legacy of graduating student-athletes and winning championships. We've spent the past year working along with others in our department to build an overall athletic program that keeps students at the center and provides the university and entire region with a source of pride. I am fully committed to support our student-athletes, coaches and university to that end.
I want to thank my husband, Jeff, for supporting me as a coach and administrator for over 30 years. My children, Mary, Jack and Emily have also encouraged me to chase my own dreams as I've worked hard as a mom to encourage them to chase theirs. The culture of teamwork that I strive to achieve in our athletic department is best demonstrated by my family teammates at home."
Nick Hill, Football Head Coach and one of Kill's former players
"I think everybody knows the relationship I have with him. It's a player-to-coach relationship and I still look at him as my coach and someone who has changed the course of my life. I will always be indebted to him. It's been awesome having him around here. He's pushed me, made me better, as he's always gotten the best out of me, whether it was as a player or young coach. I will always support Coach Kill and be there for him as he's been there for me. Liz has been outstanding since she got here and has the respect of everybody in the building. I think it will be a seamless transition because we saw how well they worked together. I'm excited for her to get an opportunity to lead a department."
Bryan Mullins, Men's Basketball Head Coach
"I want to thank Coach Kill for the remarkable impact that he has made at SIU. His passion to help people, his work ethic, and his competitiveness has allowed him to be successful at every place he has been. Both times Coach Kill has been here he has left this university better than it was before. I will always be appreciative of Coach Kill for his belief in me and providing me an opportunity to come back to my alma mater and represent this great university once again. Moving forward, we are very lucky to be under the leadership of Liz Jarnigan. She is the perfect person to lead SIU Athletics into a new era of success."
Kerri Blaylock, Softball Head Coach
"My first reactions were surprise and sadness, but it switched immediately to happiness for him. He is a football coach. That's what he loves and who he is; and for that, I am happy for him and his family. He has been wonderful for our athletic department. He always pushed the envelope, which moved things forward to help all of our programs. He's a mentor and a great friend. I would call him at Northern Illinois, Minnesota, or Rutgers; and I will be on the phone with him at Virginia Tech. He is a phenomenal man. Right after Coach Kill announced he was leaving, my first hope was that Liz Jarnigan would be named AD. She and (Associate AD) Jeff Jones have been wonderful. Liz is very bright and a great administrator. She has outstanding qualifications and brings continuity to our staff; I'm happy that SIU recognized that and decided to keep her here."
Video | Rishonda Napier Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Jorge Delgado Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Rick Murray Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Saluki Chats in Chevies | Episode 1 | Anna Jaworski
Tuesday, October 15