With Thomas Hammock Leaving for the Seahawks, Who is Favored to Coach the NIU Huskies in 2026? Who Should Replace Thomas Hammock?
Full Story on Hammock Leaving Northern Illinois
The Huskies are coming off their worst season and their third losing record since the 2020s decade began. In fact, Northern Illinois had a promising future in 2025 after placing as high as #23 in the college football rankings the previous year. However, this campaign saw the team lose nine games in a season for the first time since 2022. NIU is already facing a new normal in 2026 as the university will leave the MAC Conference to join the Mountain West as a football-only member. About a month after the college football season ended, one program had a surprising coaching change in the midst of a conference switch.
Northern Illinois announced that head coach Thomas Hammock will leave the school after seven seasons under the helm. He plans to accept a running back coaching role for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Rob Harley, who joined the DeKalb-based organization as a defensive coordinator, will take over the football squad on an interim basis. Former Huskies QB Jordan Lynch was speculated to be in consideration for the NIU head coaching gig, but he shot down those rumors. Lynch is currently the leading man for Chicago’s Mount Carmel High School varsity football team.
At the time of the coaching change, the 3-9 Huskies embarked on a six-game losing streak following their home-opening win vs. Holy Cross. Perhaps the biggest win of the season came on October 25, where Northern Illinois defeated Ball State to clinch the Bronze Stalk Rivalry Trophy. The NIU program became the 29th school to change football coaches along with Ohio, Michigan, Florida A&M, Southern Miss, Washington State, Toledo, Coastal Carolina, Iowa State, UConn, North Texas, Memphis, James Madison, Tulane, South Florida, Kentucky, California, Auburn, LSU, Florida, UAB, Penn State, Colorado State, Oregon State, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and UCLA.
Thomas Hammock’s Career with the Northern Illinois Huskies
Hammock took over as the leading man in DeKalb in 2019 after the departure of Rod Carey for Temple. The former led the Huskies to the 2021 MAC Championship as well as three bowl games. Northern Illinois wants to win its first postseason contest since beating Fresno State in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Also, the school is aiming to finish in the Top 25 college football rankings for the first time since placing at #22 in 2012. Overall, Thomas Hammock compiled a 35-47 record in seven seasons (23-31 in the MAC Conference and 2-1 in Bowl Games).
Before becoming the Huskies’ head coach, Hammock was the running backs coach for the Ravens from 2014 until 2018. He guided Baltimore to the 2018 AFC North Division title and two playoff appearances. Hammock also held the same role for the following programs: Wisconsin (2011-2013), Minnesota (2007-2009), and Northern Illinois (2005-2006). The former NIU leading man took the Badgers to two Big Ten Championships under the direction of Bret Bielema. While with the Golden Gophers, Hammock collaborated with head coach Tim Brewster and led the Minneapolis-based school to two postseason berths.
What’s Next for the Northern Illinois Huskies?
Many Huskies football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Thomas Hammock in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Hammock as Northern Illinois Huskies Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Thomas Hammock as Northern Illinois HC
Internal Candidates
Rob Harley-Northern Illinois
- Michigan State Graduate Assistant (2012-2013)
- Florida International LB Coach (2014)
- Pittsburgh LB Coach (2015-2020)
- Arkansas State Associate HC & DC (2021-2024)
- Northern Illinois Defensive Coordinator (2025)
- Northern Illinois Interim Coach (2026-Present)
Top Head Coach Candidates for Northern Illinois Huskies to Consider
Scott Isphording-Ohio
- Eastern Michigan QB Coach (2004-2006)
- Eastern Michigan OC (2007-2008)
- Ohio TE Coach (2009)
- Toledo QB Coach (2010-2013)
- Ohio QB Coach (2014-2025)
- Ohio OC & QB Coach (2025-Present)
Mike Hallett-Toledo
- Wooster Assistant Coach (1997-1998)
- Thomas Moore Assistant Coach (1999-2003)
- Thomas Moore HC (2004-2006)
- Heidelberg HC (2007-2015)
- Toledo OL Coach (2016-2019)
- Toledo Co-OC & OL Coach (2020-2025)
Bill Brechin-Miami-OH
- Grand Valley State Graduate Assistant (2008-2009)
- Notre Dame Football Intern (2010-2011)
- Notre Dame Offensive Assistant (2012)
- Grand Valley State WR Coach (2013)
- RedHawks WR Coach (2014-2017)
- Miami-OH Safeties Coach (2018-2019)
- RedHawks Secondary Coach (2020)
- Miami-OH DC (2022-Present)
Clay Patterson-Kent State
- Trinity Valley OC & QB Coach (2013-2015)
- Northeastern Oklahoma A&M HC (2016-2017)
- Minnesota TE Coach (2018-2021)
- Colorado OC & TE Coach (2022)
- South Florida TE Coach (2023)
- Kent State Co-OC WR Coach (2024)
- Kent State OC & QB Coach (2025)
Leading Candidate to Replace Thomas Hammock as Huskies HC in 2026
Walt Bell-Western Michigan
- Southern Miss WR Coach (2011)
- North Carolina TE Coach (2012-2013)
- Arkansas State Associate HC (2014-2015)
- Maryland OC & QB Coach (2016-2017)
- Florida State OC & QB Coach (2018)
- UMass HC (2019-2021)
- Indiana OC & QB Coach (2022-2023)
- Western Michigan OC & QB Coach (2024-Present)
Blackhawks Theme Nights for March 2026
Bulls Theme Nights for March 2026
Thanks for reading the Leading Candidate to Replace Thomas Hammock as Northern Illinois HC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
