Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill announced his retirement, effective immediately, at a press conference Wednesday morning.

Kill, 54, coached SIU to a 55-32 record in seven seasons from 2001 to 2007. He said doctors have advised him not to continue coaching because of epileptic seizures. The Salukis won three Missouri Valley Football Conference championships and made the playoffs five times during Kill’s tenure.

Kill was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2005, the same year he overcame kidney cancer.

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Former SIU defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will take over as Minnesota’s interim head coach. Minnesota is 4-3 on the season.

Kill steps down with a career record of 156-102 as a head coach at Minnesota, Northern Illinois, SIU, Emporia State and Saginaw Valley State.

He was inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame in 2014. 

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307