Team preview: Northern Illinois

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(All information as of June 20, 2008)

The jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision level was supposed to be a happy time for Jerry Kill and his coaching staff.

After building Southern Illinois into a perennial winner at the I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) level, Kill decided the time was right in the off-season to make the move to Northern Illinois and succeed Joe Novak, who built the Huskies into a MAC power over 12 seasons.

Kill went 55-32 at SIU, leading the Salukis to five straight playoff appearances and a trip to the FCS semifinals last season. Kill was chosen the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year and has a lifetime winning percentage of .646.

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