Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill received the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Grant Teaff Coach of the Year Award at the AFCA convention in Nashville today.

In 2023, Hill led SIU to its third playoff appearance in the last four seasons and a final national ranking of No. 12. In addition to team success, the award recognizes a football coach "who exemplifies Christian principles and involvement and support of the FCA."

A 2008 SIU graduate, Hill has led a resurgence of Saluki Football during his eight-year tenure as head coach. The Salukis hosted the first playoff game at Saluki Stadium in school history in 2023, defeating Nicholls State in the opening round, 35-0. Of the program's 11 playoff appearances, Hill has either coached (3) or played (2) in five of them.

Southern Illinois is one of two FCS teams that have beaten FBS opponents in both 2022 and 2023. The Salukis defeated Northwestern last season and beat Northern Illinois this year.

SIU has also won its last eight games against in-state schools (Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Illinois State twice, Western Illinois four times).