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New SIU A.D. Ready for Challenge

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SIU Salukis
Liz jarnigan

SIU's new Director of Athletics says it's been a whirlwind since she was named to the position Monday following the abrupt resignation of Jerry Kill.

Liz Jarnigan says she didn't know of Kill's final decision to leave Saluki Athletics and return to the coaching ranks at Virginia Tech until Monday morning around 8.
"In talking to him over the last few days, it was not an easy decision for him. He loves this place. He feels very passionately about it and I think that's why he came back in the first place and left coaching."

Jarnigan says coaching is part of Kill's soul and he was really missing it this summer. She says he needs to coach.

"It's unfortunate for us not to have him. We're going to miss him tremendously. But, I think he just was pulled to finish a career doing what he's called to do."

During his 16 months on the job, Kill hired seven new coaches and restructured the administration.
Jarnigan says there is excellent leadership in place and she thinks the work started by Kill will continue.
 
"I am not Coach Kill, nobody is. I could never dream of having half the charisma he has. However, we share common philosophies and values. So, in that regard I think it should be good transition."
 
Kill says he took the department as far as he could. Jarnigan says she thinks he meant he was good at ruffling feathers and now the athletic department needs someone like her to be more diplomatic.

Jarnigan joined Saluki Athletics in July 2018 and she says Kill has included her in every major decision, including tapping into her knowledge of Title IX after the department was hit with a complaint in 2017 following a reduction in scholarships.
 
"We are dealing with a very serious Title IX issue. We worked closely together over the past year to address that and in essence fix that."
 
The new SIU women's soccer program is part of the deal to become compliant. Charlotte West is a former women's coach and administrator at SIU and helped development Title IX. Jarnigan says that's not lost on her.
 
"I think we perhaps lost our way a little bit in terms of our Title IX gender equity responsibilities as a department. I'm sure that hurt her and I think I have an obligation and responsibility to restore our department to a place she can be proud of."
 
Jarnigan says she believes SIU has the right people in place to promote diversity and inclusion in Saluki Athletics.

Jarnigan says she thanks Kill and Chancellor John Dunn for the faith in her to take over the athletics department.

 

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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