Jerry Kill
Jerry Kill (born August 24, 1961) is an American college football coach and current consultant at Vanderbilt. He has led several programs as head coach, most recently New Mexico State (2022–2023), and previously Minnesota (2011–2015), Northern Illinois (2007–2010), Southern Illinois (2001–2007), Saginaw Valley State (1994–1998), and Emporia State (1999–2000). He also served as interim head coach at TCU in 2021. Kill played college football as a linebacker at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas (1979–1982).
During his career, Kill guided teams to 13 bowl games and earned one bowl victory—the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl with New Mexico State. He has also received several honors, including the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2014 and a place in the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2016).
Health and retirement have been significant parts of Kill’s story. He battled epilepsy, with seizures in 2010–2013 that led to a leave of absence in 2013. He retired as Minnesota’s head coach in 2015 for health reasons but returned to coaching in 2020, taking roles at Virginia Tech and later TCU. He became interim head coach at TCU in 2021. After the 2023 season at New Mexico State, he stepped down and joined Vanderbilt in 2024 as chief consultant to the head coach and senior offensive advisor.
Personal life: Kill is divorced from Rebecca Kill and has two daughters, Krystal and Tasha. He is a close friend of Gary Patterson, the former TCU head coach, and was best man at Patterson’s wedding. Kill has also founded the Coach Kill Fund to help low-income residents in southern Illinois with treatment.
Key notes: Born in Cheney, Kansas, Kill rose from a working-class background to become a long-time college football figure, known for turning programs around, his battle with health issues, and his ongoing work in the sport.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:07 (CET).