SIU's Kill released from hospital but won't coach in today's game

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois football coach Jerry Kill was released Friday from the hospital, six days after suffering a seizure during last weekend's game, the school said.

He will miss today's game at Indiana State.

"We feel confident that Jerry's received the best of care," said Paul Kowalczyk, the school's athletics director. "He's feeling much better, and we're eager to get him back on the sidelines."

No decision has been made on whether Kill would be available to coach in the Salukis' game Oct. 27 at Western Kentucky.

Kill, 44, who has a medical condition that occasionally manifests itself with seizures, collapsed in the closing seconds of the Salukis' 61-35 home loss Oct. 15 to Illinois State. He initially was treated at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, then was transferred to a St. Louis hospital.

Kill also had a seizure in November 2001 shortly after the Salukis lost to then-Southwest Missouri State, the school said. Kill returned to coach the next week.

In Kill's absence Saturday, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will serve as the acting head coach of the Salukis (4-2, 2-1 Gateway).