SIU strength and conditioning coach Clete McLeod will take an assistant with the University of Nebraska.

The move was announced on Mike Reis’ “Cornering the AD” when he spoke with SIU’s Athletic Director Tommy Bell.

Bell said McLeod would be missed for his influence on the student-athletes.

“Coach McLeod is a great individual and the athletes and coaches really enjoyed him for the time and effort he put into the program,” he said.

McLeod, an SIU alumnus, returned to his alma mater in 2011 from Oregon State after previous stops at Southeast Missouri State and Northern Illinois.

Mark Philipp, current head strength and conditioning coach at Nebraksa, is an SIU alumnus and worked with McLeod while the two were at Oregon State.

“We’re very happy for him because he’s moving on to work with Nebraska football in the Big Ten Conference which is a huge honor and shows how high regarded he is as a coach,” Bell said.

Prior to working at various universities, McLeod was employed at the athlete training facility Velocity Sports Performance in Naperville.

Bell said they are actively searching for a replacement and hope to announce the decision before Spring Break.

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or 534-3303