DeKALB, Ill. – The Huskies open the 2019 season under a new head coach for the first time since 2013 as NIU alum Thomas Hammock was named the school’s new head football coach on Jan. 18, 2019. Hammock replaces Rod Carey, who joined the Temple football program in January, after leading the Huskies program for the past six seasons with four West Division titles (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018) and two Marathon MAC football championships (2014, 2018).
Hammock, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing yards in both 2000 and 2001 as a Huskie before his career was cut short by a heart condition, is also the only two-time first team Academic All-American in NIU football history.