A Cheney, Kan. native who played linebacker at Division II Southwestern College, Kill broke into coaching as defensive coordinator for Pittsburg State in Kansas in 1985. He spent a year as a high school head coach in Webb City, Mo., winning a state title before returning to Pittsburg State as offensive coordinator.
Kill first took over a program of his own at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. He went 38-14 over five years there before moving on to Emporia State University in Kansas for two seasons (11-11), and Southern Illinois University for seven. He went 55-32 there with five FCS playoff berths and a trip to the seminfinals in his final year.