Northern Illinois: a football coaching history
See Northern Illinois’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and 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.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2026–now
0-8
2019–2025
Thomas Hammock Steady ◆ COY
Thomas Hammock slid the Huskies from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 7 seasons.
2021 defense ranked in the 4th percentile nationally — historically bad
−9.2 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 7% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Mike London’s Virginia run (2010–2015)
5th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Rod Carey (2012–2018) · succeeded by Rob Harley (2026–now).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 5-7 | 0-6 | 9-5 | 3-9 | 7-6 | 8-5 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | W bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #108 | #91 | #90 | #87 | #102 | #99 | #84 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | 44.9 | 50.0 | 35.4 | 40.7 | 43.9 | 39.9 | 32.9 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||
| OC | Eric Eidsness | Eric Eidsness | Eric Eidsness | Eric Eidsness | Eric Eidsness | Wesley Beschorner | Quinn Sanders | |
| DC | Derrick Jackson | Derrick Jackson | Derrick Jackson | Derrick Jackson / Nick Benedetto | Derrick Jackson / Nick Benedetto | Nick Benedetto | Rob Harley | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | 19 | 23 | 88 | 45 | 70 | 38 | 16 | |
| Defense | 47 | 33 | 4 | 15 | 58 | 88 | 18 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 39.6 | 46.9 | 27.6 | 26.4 | 36.1 | 34.4 | 23.2 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 36.1 | 60.6 | 30.7 | 35.2 | 37.5 | 37.2 | 28.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 28.9 | 40.0 | 39.6 | 29.4 | 32.6 | 40.6 | 41.9 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+6.1 pts
#80 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-0.5 pts
#107 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Portal arrivals
19
2.9★ avg rating
Portal departures
80
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-61
#176 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′1″, 215 lbs
across 18 of 19 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+4.2 lbs
#119 of 255 · middle half
Avg. class year
Jr
#3 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: IL (4), IA (3), TN (2), FL (1), OH (1)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
43.7
position-weighted
Talent lost
55.1
position-weighted
Net
-11.3
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Justin Lynch (QB) from Temple
Biggest loss: Ethan Hampton (QB) to Illinois
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Eric Eidsness → Wesley Beschorner · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 36.1% → 34.4% (-1.7 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 60% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Wesley Beschorner → Quinn Sanders · 2025
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 34.4% → 23.2% (-11.2 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 53% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Derrick Jackson → Derrick Jackson / Nick Benedetto (co) · 2022The system held
2-season window either side.
DC: Derrick Jackson / Nick Benedetto (co) → Nick Benedetto · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Nick Benedetto → Rob Harley · 2025
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
215 lbs
6′3″ avg · #310 of 767 · middle half
Running back
212 lbs
5′11″ avg · #197 of 791 · top quarter
Wide receiver
194 lbs
6′0″ avg · #350 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
243 lbs
6′4″ avg · #438 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
310 lbs
6′5″ avg · #363 of 779 · middle half
D-line
292 lbs
6′3″ avg · #208 of 753 · middle half
Edge
250 lbs
6′4″ avg · #115 of 188 · middle half
Linebacker
221 lbs
6′1″ avg · #684 of 772 · bottom quarter
Cornerback
186 lbs
6′0″ avg · #598 of 771 · bottom quarter
Safety
198 lbs
6′1″ avg · #157 of 346 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
92%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2021: Lost to Coastal Carolina 41-47 Tailgreeter Cure Bowl2023: Beat Arkansas State 21-19 Camellia Bowl2024: Beat Fresno State 28-20 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Coach of the Year: MAC Coach of the Year (2021)
−9.2
35-47
2012–2018
Rod Carey Steady
Rod Carey slid the Huskies from National Program III to National Program II in 6 seasons.
2016 defense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad
−4.8 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 23% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Dirk Koetter’s Arizona State run (2001–2006)
1st-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Dave Doeren (2011–2012) · succeeded by Thomas Hammock (2019–2025).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 0-1 | 12-2 | 11-3 | 8-6 | 5-7 | 8-5 | 8-6 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | #102 | #98 | #83 | #112 | #97 | #93 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | — | 39.0 | 35.9 | 38.6 | 42.2 | 42.1 | 40.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||
| OC | — | — | Bob Cole | Bob Cole | Mike Uremovich | Mike Uremovich | Mike Uremovich | |
| DC | — | — | Jay Niemann | Jay Niemann | Kevin Kane | Kevin Kane | Jeff Knowles | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | — | 92 | 75 | 21 | 69 | 18 | 20 | |
| Defense | — | 33 | 43 | 73 | 5 | 86 | 78 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | 38.4 | 34.0 | 34.3 | 34.4 | 40.6 | 39.2 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | 33.3 | 31.4 | 24.8 | 35.2 | 42.1 | 30.6 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | 27.0 | 20.4 | 38.6 | 37.5 | 26.8 | 20.9 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and outperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
-11.2 pts
#153 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
+16.3 pts
#44 of 208 · top quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Bob Cole → Mike Uremovich · 2016The system held
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 34.1% → 37.5% (+3.4 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 86% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Jay Niemann → Kevin Kane · 2016The defense slipped
2-season window either side.
DC: Kevin Kane → Jeff Knowles · 2018
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2012: Lost to Florida State 10-31 Discover Orange Bowl2013: Lost to Utah State 14-21 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2014: Lost to Marshall 23-52 Boca Raton Bowl2015: Lost to Boise State 7-55 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2017: Lost to Duke 14-36 Quick Lane Bowl2018: Lost to UAB 13-37 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
6 NFL Draft picks: Jimmie Ward (2014), Ken Bishop (2014), Da'Ron Brown (2015), Kenny Golladay (2017), Max Scharping (2019), Sutton Smith (2019)
−4.8
52-30
2008–2010
Jerry Kill Steady
Jerry Kill moved Northern Illinois from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 3 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
+6.2 pts over 3 seasons · top 11% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Gene Chizik’s Auburn run (2009–2012)
2nd-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Joe Novak (1996–2007) · succeeded by Dave Doeren (2011–2012).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 6-7 | 7-6 | 10-3 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #115 | #102 | #98 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 38.4 | 34.0 | 36.2 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 45 | 42 | 88 | |
| Defense | 48 | 61 | 77 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 30.7 | 25.5 | 30.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 24.6 | 29.3 | 32.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 31.0 | 22.6 | 22.2 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2008: Lost to Louisiana Tech 10-17 Bowl2009: Lost to South Florida 3-27 International Bowl
1 NFL Draft pick: Larry English (2009)
+6.2
23-16
1996–2007
Joe Novak Builder≈
Joe Novak raised Northern Illinois from Regional Program V to Regional Program I.
No outlier style signal this stint
+12.2 pts over 12 seasons · top 49% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Mark Richt’s Georgia run (2001–2015)
3rd-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Charlie Sadler (1991–1995) · succeeded by Jerry Kill (2008–2010).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||||||
| Record | 1-10 | 0-11 | 2-9 | 5-6 | 6-5 | 6-5 | 8-4 | 10-2 | 9-3 | 7-5 | 7-6 | 2-10 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W bowl | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | #87 | #77 | #75 | #96 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35.7 | 41.4 | 46.6 | 46.9 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | 74 | 12 | 21 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 62 | 58 | 38 | 16 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29.9 | 36.3 | 43.2 | 38.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32.4 | 34.7 | 50.5 | 39.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12.5 | 29.5 | 37.5 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2004: Beat Troy 34-21 Bowl2006: Lost to TCU 7-37 Bowl
6 NFL Draft picks: Ryan Diem (2001), Justin McCareins (2001), Darrell Hill (2002), Michael Turner (2004), Garrett Wolfe (2007), Doug Free (2007)
+12.2
63-76
1991–1995
Charlie Sadler Steady
Charlie Sadler slid the Huskies from Regional Program III to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
−6.5 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 27% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Chuck Reedy’s Baylor run (1993–1996)
8th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Jerry Pettibone (1985–1990) · succeeded by Joe Novak (1996–2007).
1 NFL Draft pick: LeShon Johnson (1994)
−6.5
18-37
1985–1990
Jerry Pettibone Steady
Jerry Pettibone held the Huskies at Regional Program III for 6 seasons.
−1.1 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 39% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Doug Graber’s Rutgers run (1990–1995)
6th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Lee Corso (1984) · succeeded by Charlie Sadler (1991–1995).
4 NFL Draft picks: Scott Kellar (1986), Curt Pardridge (1986), Steve O'Malley (1986), Doug Bartlett (1987)
−1.1
33-32-1
1980–1983
Bill Mallory Steady
Bill Mallory moved Northern Illinois from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.
+4.9 pts over 4 seasons · top 14% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Rick Rasnick’s Eastern Michigan run (1995–1999)
7th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Pat Culpepper (1976–1979) · succeeded by Lee Corso (1984).
| Season | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 7-4 | 3-8 | 5-5 | 10-2 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1983: Beat Cal State Fullerton 20-13 Bowl
+4.9
25-19
1976–1979
Pat Culpepper Steady
Pat Culpepper slid Northern Illinois from Regional Program II to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.
−7.6 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 22% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Cam Cameron’s Indiana run (1997–2001)
9th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Jerry Ippoliti (1971–1975) · succeeded by Bill Mallory (1980–1983).
1 NFL Draft pick: Ken Moore (1977)
−7.6
14-29-1
1971–1975
Jerry Ippoliti Steady
Jerry Ippoliti held the Huskies at Regional Program II for 5 seasons.
+1.4 pts over 5 seasons · top 27% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Butch Davis’s Florida International run (2017–2021)
4th-best Northern Illinois tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Doc Urich (1969–1970) · succeeded by Pat Culpepper (1976–1979).
4 NFL Draft picks: Larry Clark (1973), Willie Hatter (1973), Mark Kellar (1974), Bob Gregolunas (1976)
+1.4
25-29-1