The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Northern Illinois: a football coaching history
See Northern Illinois’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Right now
Rob Harley
in year 1 — too new to place in Northern Illinois's history
Stature & coaches, 1968–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Every coach
2026–now
Rob Harleyshort tenure
0–0
2019–now
Thomas Hammockcaretaker🏆 COY
Thomas Hammock slid Northern Illinois from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 7 seasons.
−9.2
35–47
2012–2018
Rod Careycaretaker
Rod Carey moved Northern Illinois from National Program III to National Program II in 7 seasons.
National Program II
52–30
2008–2010
Jerry Killcaretaker
Jerry Kill moved Northern Illinois from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 3 seasons.
Regional Program I
23–16
1996–2007
+12.2
63–76
1991–1995
Regional Program III
18–37
1985–1990
Jerry Pettibonecaretaker
Jerry Pettibone held Northern Illinois at Regional Program III for 6 seasons.
Regional Program III
33–32
1980–1983
Bill Mallorycaretaker
Bill Mallory moved Northern Illinois from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.
Regional Program III
25–19
1976–1979
Pat Culpeppercaretaker
Pat Culpepper slid Northern Illinois from Regional Program II to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.
Regional Program IV
14–29
1971–1975
Regional Program II
25–29