Dec. 28, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. -- New Northern Illinois head football coach Jerry Kill has been named one of five finalists for the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for his achievements this year while the head coach at Southern Illinois University.

Tomorrow (Saturday, Dec.29), four winners of the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Awards - one each from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), FCS, Division II and Division III - will be announced during a half-hour show which will air from 4:30-5 pm (Central) on ABC.

Kill, who led SIU to a 12-2 record and a spot in the 2007 FCS semifinals, was named a finalist along with Kevin Higgins of The Citadel, Mark Farley of Northern Iowa, John Stiegelmeier of South Dakota State and Matt Ballard of Morehead State.

Be sure to watch on your local ABC station this Saturday to see if Coach Kill comes away with the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

For more information on the award and on the accomplishments of Coach Kill and all of the 2007 finalists, go to www.coachoftheyear.com.

--NIU--