Tag: Hammock

Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock watches in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Seahawks hire NIU head coach Thomas Hammock to coach RBs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Northern Illinois head football coach Thomas Hammock is moving to the NFL, where he will become running backs coach of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

Hammock, 44, resigned as coach of the Huskies after seven seasons. He previously was an All-MAC running back for the DeKalb, Ill., program.

Defensive coordinator Rob Harley was elevated to interim head coach on Wednesday, NIU announced.

“Under Coach Hammock’s leadership, the Huskie football program has achieved historic milestones on the field as well as academically over the last seven seasons,” NIU athletic director Sean Frazier said in a statement. “His passion for NIU and commitment to developing young men — on and off the playing field — will be his legacy; I know he has left a lasting impact on the players he coached and on his alma mater. His genuine love for NIU made his decision to leave at this time very tough for him. A Hall of Famer, he will always be a Huskie and I hope all of Huskie Nation will join me in thanking Thomas for all he has given to NIU as we wish him all the best in the future.”

With the Seahawks, Hammock reportedly is set to become the highest-paid running backs coach in the NFL, with input on the offense, as Seattle moves to replace Klint Kubiak. Kubiak was offensive coordiantor for the Seahawks last season, but left after the Super Bowl to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hammock interviewed to become offensive coordinator and has ties to Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald from their time as assistant coaches with the Baltimore Ravens. Hammock was the Ravens’ running backs coach from 2014-18.

Seattle could be shuffling personnel at the RB position, depending on the status of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, an unrestricted free agent.

Hammock has openly criticized the direction of college football and specifically cited the transfer portal challenges for programs outside the Power 4.

Hammock was 35-47 as head coach of the Huskies with a trademark victory at No. 5-ranked Notre Dame in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock talks to the linesman during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Northern Illinois extends Thomas Hammock through 2026

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Northern Illinois extended the contract of football coach Thomas Hammock through the 2026 season, the school announced Tuesday.

The three-year extension comes with Hammock leading the Huskies to a 6-3 record this fall entering Wednesday’s home game against Ball State.

“Under Coach Hammock, our program has made tremendous strides forward — competitively, academically and socially,” athletic director Sean Frazier said in a news release. “We are seeing the tangible results of that progress on the field this year, and over the past two years, we have seen it in the record-setting team GPA and the commitment to doing things the right way on and off the field.”

Hammock, 40, is 11-16 since taking over as coach prior to the 2019 season. Northern Illinois went 5-7 in his first season before going 0-6 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Hammock is a former star running back for Northern Illinois. He rushed for 2,432 yards and 25 touchdowns and had 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2000 and 2001.

“As an alum, I’m very proud to lead this program,” Hammock said in a statement. “I love the young men on our team, I love our staff and I love the direction we’re headed.”

Northern Illinois leads the Mid-American Conference West division with a 4-1 mark entering the Ball State matchup. The Huskies dropped their last game 52-47 to Kent State.

–Field Level Media