Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois Announces Extension for Football Head Coach Nick Hill
03/17/2026 | 12:30:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University athletic director Tim Leonard has announced a four-year contract extension for football head coach Nick Hill through the 2029 season.
"We want to win a national championship with Nick Hill at the helm, and we believe that we can do that," Leonard said. "Coach Hill brings passion and energy to our program, and we are investing in football at a level that reflects that commitment."
Hill completed his 10th season as the program's head coach in 2025 and has been in the role since 2016. The Du Quoin, Ill., native first joined the coaching staff in 2014 as the quarterbacks coach before becoming a co-offensive coordinator in 2015.
"I'm excited and humbled for the opportunity to be the head coach here," Hill said. "From day one of getting the job in 2016 until today, it's been a dream come true. I come to work every single day with a vision to lead this program and I feel confident in doing so. Feel confident leading it into changing times in college athletics."
This past season, the Salukis went 7-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. In its final game of the season, Southern Illinois defeated Illinois State, 37-7, in Normal, Ill., on Nov. 22. The Redbirds went on to make it to the FCS National Championship game in Nashville, Tenn., where they fell, 35-34, in overtime to Montana State.
Under Hill, Southern Illinois boasted one of the nation's more explosive offenses in 2025. SIU averaged 36.4 points-per-game, which ranked 12th in the country and was the program's highest average since 2007 (37.9). The Salukis finished the year with 437 total points, marking the 11th time in school history they have scored over 400 points.
SIU ranked among the country's best in several categories under Hill, including rushing offense where it was 10th in the FCS, averaging 207.2 yards-per-game. Southern was also fifth in the nation in third down conversion percentage (.507), first in red zone offense (.942), 14th in total offense (446.8), tied for 29th in passing offense (239.5), and tied for 10th in sacks allowed (13).
"I still have a passion for this place," Hill said. "This is where I want to be, this is where my family wants to be. We're in that constant pursuit to bring championships here to Saluki Football."
Hill coached nine All-MVFC players in 2025, including cornerback Jeremiah McClendon who was on the All-MVFC First Team. Among the nine players was quarterback DJ Williams, who finished third in the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year race and was a finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, which goes to the FCS Offensive Player of the Year. Williams finished eighth in the voting.
Southern Illinois has made the FCS playoffs on three separate occasions under Coach Hill. SIU's most recent postseason appearance came in 2023 when it reached the round of 16 after defeating Nicholls, 35-0, at home in the first round. The Salukis fell, 20-17, in overtime against No. 4 Idaho in their next contest.
Hill and the Salukis have also made the playoffs in 2021 and in 2020. Southern reached the round of 16 in 2021 and the quarterfinals in 2020.
SIU has defeated three FBS schools under Hill. In 2023, Southern won, 14-11, at Northern Illinois and in the season prior, defeated Northwestern, 31-24, on the road. The Salukis' third FBS victory with Hill in charge came in 2019 when they went to UMass and won, 45-20.
As a player, Hill arrived at Southern Illinois in the spring of 2004. The Du Quoin native initially went to Western Kentucky to play basketball but transferred to SIU and switched sports after suffering a broken hand his freshman year. Hill took over the starting quarterback job in 2006 and went 21-6 as a starter while also setting the school record in passing yards in 2007.
Hill led the Salukis to a final four appearance in the FCS playoffs in 2007 before ultimately falling to a Joe Flacco-led Delaware team in the semifinals. In 2006, Hill and Southern Illinois became the first Valley school to defeat a Big Ten opponent when they topped Indiana, 35-28, on the road.
With Hill at quarterback, SIU earned another FBS win in 2007 at Northern Illinois. The Salukis won by a final score of 34-31 as Hill passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
Hill played professional football for six seasons. The Southern Illinois native spent time in the Arena Football League and also had free-agent stints with the Chicago Bears in 2008 and the Green Bay Packers in 2012.
Coach Hill's most recent extension came prior to the 2022 season and was of the five-year variety.
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