After 16 days of uncertainty, the NIU football team has a new head coach.

Former Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill has been named NIU’s 20th head coach.

“The competition was fast and furious,” Athletic Director Jim Phillips said about the position. “But that is someone else’s problem. It’s not ours now.”

Colorado State and Southern Illinois were also fighting for Kill’s services.

“The dream came true today. I wanted a chance to coach Division I-A football,” Kill said. “I got a feeling, this is where the good lord put us.”

Kill’s journey to become NIU’s newest head coach started Sunday night. Phillips waited to meet with the former SIU coach until his team finished its postseason run. The Salukis lost in the semi-finals of the Division I-AA playoffs Saturday night.

By Sunday, Phillips and former head coach Joe Novak met with Kill. The former Saluki coach then visited Chicago, and was hired as NIU’s new head coach Wednesday night.

Kill inks a five-year deal with an option for a extension after 24 months. The extension is strictly an option for NIU, and not Kill.

While Phillips would not announce the amount of the contract, he did say it is incentive-based. Kill can earn more money based on the graduation rates and grades of his players, winning the MAC championship, being named MAC coach of the year, and other factors. There is even an incentive if the coach reaches a BCS Bowl.

The Marion Daily Republican reported Kill’s contract is worth $1.7 million, or $340,000 per season over five years. Kill was making $175,000 from SIU, according to the paper that is 17 miles away from Carbondale.

The move up north wasn’t about money, Kill said.

“I was very well compensated as a Division I-AA coach,” Kill said. “I’m not going to ask them for ‘x amount.’ This was about having a chance to move up in the profession.”

The move to NIU was a good fit, Kill said. He felt the institution was supportive of the football program, the community embraced the sport and the kids were of high character.

Players first had a chance to meet with their new coach Thursday morning. At 9 a.m., Kill addressed his new team.

“Some of the guys had already seen him,” said NIU wide receiver Britt Davis, who was waiting in the conference room. “They came in saying we got the SIU coach.”

Running back Justin Anderson said he felt Kill knew a lot more about some of the players than the players knew about their new coach. The sophomore said he could tell the new coach won’t be much of a change from Novak.

“They have similar personalities,” Anderson said. “He’s calm most of the time, but he’s got fire. That’s what I like about country people.”

Kill’s next step is to meet with the current assistant coaches at NIU. He will meet with them Friday morning to discus their thoughts and future. Kill will then return to SIU and discus the future with his former coaching staff.

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