FOOTBALL: Nick Hill named SIU's interim head coach
Former Du Quoin Indian Nick Hill has been named the interim head football coach at Southern Illinois University, where up until Tuesday he held the position of quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.
The decision was announced by SIU athletic director Tommy Bell at a press conference on Tuesday, one day after the school fired the previous head coach, Dale Lennon, following a 3-8 season.
"First and foremost, we want to thank Dale Lennon for the great work that he did for our program and what he did for our institution," Bell said. "He led with integrity, and his academic excellence speaks for itself. We appreciate everything he did for us."
"Nick Hill has been appointed the interim head coach at this time to oversee our program on a day-to-day operation until our search process is over."
Bell said an advisory committee will assist with the process of determining a new, permanent head coach, and that he hopes to have the hiring done before Christmas. That committee will include former Saluki head coach Jerry Kill, former Saluki quarterback Joel Sambursky, Dr. Harold Bardo (who served as interim athletic director before Bell was hired), faculty-athletic representative Dr. Julie Partridge, and local business owner and philanthropist to SIU Greg Cook.
Bell said familiarity played a part in selecting Hill as the interim head coach.
"I knew him as a student-athlete," Bell said, "and knew some of the things that went on with the success with his recruiting and some of the energy he brings to the table."
When asked if Hill will be a candidate for the permanent job, Bell stated "That will be up for him. We are going to be open for all people interested in the position. I'm taking a lot of phone calls, and I've had over 40 inquiries in less that 24 hours."
SIU has 11 verbal commitments and 85 returning student-athletes in the football program, but some of those players may elect to transfer.
"There are some student-athletes who have indicated to coaches--from a depth chart and who are not playing as much as they would like--there will be a few transfers here and there," said Bell. "The only thing that has been shared with me are some who want to get to Division II so that they have a better opportunity to get some playing time."