DeKalb, IL -- (Sports Network) - Northern Illinois has named Jerry Kill its new head football coach, replacing the retired Joe Novak.

Kill spent the past seven seasons at Southern Illinois, guiding the Salukis to a mark of 55-32 and five straight Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoff appearances.

"Jerry Kill has been successful at every level of college coaching," said Northern Illinois athletic director Jim Phillips. "Simply put, he is a winner. His record speaks for itself. More importantly, he is a quality person with a great family who will continue the tradition that Coach Novak has built here at Northern Illinois."

Southern Illinois won three straight Gateway Conference titles from 2003-05 under Kill, who leaves as the school's second-winningest coach. He won the Eddie Robinson Award in 2004 as the top coach in FCS.

"What he has done for Saluki football is nothing short of miraculous," said SIU athletic director Mario Moccia. "Jerry essentially built this program from scratch, and he is leaving an excellent foundation upon which his successor can continue."

The Salukis were 1-10 in his first season and finished 12-2 this past season, losing to Delaware in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs just last weekend.

Novak decided to call it quits after a disappointing 2-10 season. He posted a mark of 63-76 in 12 years, recording the most wins in NIU history, and guided the Huskies to bowl appearances in 2004 and 2006.

"The great thing is that I get a chance to be a part of the tradition that Coach Novak has built here at NIU," said Kill. "He's done all the hard work of building this program and he's passing the torch on to me to carry it on. I want to make him proud and make all the alums and former players proud and carry on the strong tradition that he has built."

Kill has a career coaching record of 104-57 in 14 seasons. He previously led programs at Emporia State (1999-2000) and Saginaw Valley State (1994-98).