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Strength and conditioning coach Meade Smith invests in success of Saluki athletes
CARBONDALE, Ill. — To Southern Illinois strength and conditioning coach Meade Smith, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a highly touted pro prospect or a walk-on. He’s equally invested in your success, and you’ll get the same high-level treatment from him and his staff.
Tom Weber
2 hours ago11 min read


Unscripted with Nick Hill (Part 3)
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In Part 3 of Unscripted with Nick Hill, he talks about building strong relationships of trust between coaches and players. "It's really about the players. It's about them fulfilling their goals, their dreams, you pushing them, guiding the way."
Tom Weber
2 days ago2 min read


Returning to his southern Illinois roots was a family decision for AJ Hill
CARBONDALE, Ill. — By the age of 28, AJ Hill had already led Du Quoin High School to four-straight playoff appearances. So when he gave up his position as head football coach at his high school alma mater in 2019, the move might have seemed surprising from the outside.
Tom Weber
6 days ago8 min read


Unscripted with Nick Hill (Part 2)
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In Part 2 of a StrongDawgs exclusive video series with SIU head coach Nick Hill, he talks about how the Saluki Football program equips young men to take on life's challenge. Watch Video on Youtube Video Transcript "You know, the reason that you coach is ultimately to make an impact on young men's lives. When you think of a coach, a mentor as you're growing up, it's someone that you have respect for, that is going to change your life in a positive way. And I
Tom Weber
Jun 222 min read


DJ Williams hosted free football camp for more than 100 kids on Wednesday
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams continued his annual tradition of honoring the legacy of a dear, childhood friend, by hosting a free football camp at Saluki Stadium on Wednesday.
Tom Weber
Jun 172 min read


Unscripted with Nick Hill (Part 1)
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In Part 1 of a StrongDawgs exclusive video series with SIU head coach Nick Hill, he talks about the impact Saluki Football has had on his life and his excitement about the future of the program. Watch Video on YouTube Video Transcript “This program is really who I am. It's made me into who I am professionally as the coach now for going on my 13th season a part of the program and then as a player coming here it changed really the trajectory of my life. I go
Tom Weber
Jun 122 min read


AJ Hill joins the Saluki Football coaching staff as a volunteer assistant
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football alum AJ Hill (2010-13), the younger brother of Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill, has joined the SIU coaching staff as a volunteer assistant.
Tom Weber
Jun 102 min read


Tight end Miles Marshall postpones law school to play final year with Saluki Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football received some unexpected good news from tight end Miles Marshall, who has decided to delay his entry to law school so that he can use his final year of eligibility to play football this season.
Tom Weber
Jun 42 min read


Saluki secondary gets a boost with return of cornerback Sebastian Vargas-Escobar
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The NCAA has granted a waiver for Southern Illinois cornerback Sebastian Vagas-Escobar to return for one more season of college football. In two seasons at SIU (2024-25), Vargas-Escobar has played in 24 games and made four starts.
Tom Weber
Jun 12 min read
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