Former coach sues SIU

CARBONDALE - The former football coach at Southern Illinois University is suing the Carbondale school, disputing its claims that he owes it money for breaching his contract.

Jerry Kill coached the Salukis for seven seasons before taking a job at Northern Illinois in December.

But Kill's old contract requires him to pay SIU a third of a year's salary - or nearly $58,000 - for taking another head coaching position before his contract expired.

Kill's deal was to run through 2011.

In his Jackson County lawsuit, Kill calls that provision illegal and unenforceable.

SIU's athletic director says he respects what Kill did for Saluki football but he believes Kill's contract is clear and that he owes SIU money.

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Information from the Daily Egyptian, www.siude.com