MEET THE COACHES 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF HEAD COACH THOMAS HAMMOCK

First Season NIU (2002) | Third Season (Overall) at NIU

Sometimes, you can go home again. always has been his ‘dream job’. On January 18, 2019, Thomas Hammock, a former Huskie player and “This has always been my dream,” he assistant coach, returned home to Northern University as the said. “When I was a GA at Wisconsin 23rd head coach in the history of the NIU football. A native of Fort [in 2003-04], I said I want to be the head coach at Northern Illinois Wayne, Indiana and one of the top football student-athletes in school University, because I knew what Coach [Joe] Novak did for me, and I history, Hammock returned to DeKalb after five seasons (2014-18) as want to do the same for others. It’s an unbelievable feeling to have the MEET an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens. opportunity to come home to a place that I love, to the school that has meant so much to me. This program has meant everything to me and He is the first African-American head coach in NIU football history, I will give it everything I have.” but perhaps even more importantly, he is the first alumnus to lead the Huskies as a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program. Now that he has his dream job, Hammock is of course, intent on winning and taking the program - which has enjoyed unprecedented NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. success since his days as a player - to the next level. Just as importantly, Frazier, whose relationship with Hammock extends back to their time he believes in developing players, attention to detail and demands at the University of Wisconsin, said Hammock’s desire to be the head accountability in the classroom. THE coach at his alma mater was no secret. “The reason I wanted this job is to build a legacy,” he said. “A legacy “The first time I met Thomas it was clear his goal was to be the is not what you leave behind. A legacy is what you leave within. All the head coach of Northern Illinois University,” Frazier said. “At that point, qualities Coach Novak instilled in me, I want to instill those in future I didn’t know too much about Northern Illinois University. Well I got players and the players currently in the program. to know about NIU quickly, because I knew this coach was going someplace. I can tell you, this is truly his dream job, “I think being a student-athlete is a privilege. I was a two-time Academic All-American, so when I talk to kids about going to class “To be able to bring back a part of our tradition and unite all of our and doing the things necessary to be successful, it starts there. If I Huskies, and to have someone who’s iconic in our history books as COACHES can’t trust you to go to class, it’s going to be hard to trust you on third a student and as an athlete - is fantastic. Thomas has always talked down. It’s just that simple, so that’s going to be the expectation and about NIU, The Hard Way, the tradition, the hard work, and the grit. that’s where we’re going.” All those things make it special to bring him home as our head coach.” To achieve his dream, Hammock put in the work, beginning with Hammock, now a 16-year coaching veteran, said NIU is now and two seasons at Wisconsin as a graduate assistant, followed by two NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 11 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

In 2018, the Ravens won the AFC North Division title with a 10-6 ABOUT HAMMOCK record and finished third in the NFL with 19 rushing touchdowns.

COACHING EXPERIENCE Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, one of Hammock’s mentors 2019- NIU (Head Coach) and a fellow MAC product, said the Ravens’ loss was NIU’s gain. 2014-18 Baltimore Ravens (Running Backs) 2011-13 Wisconsin “He’s a tremendous coach, great leader and great developer of • Asst. Head Coach/RBs/Recruiting Coord. (2012-13) players,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a smart game planner, a hard-nosed • Running Backs (2011) disciplinarian but a player’s coach at the same time. He relates to his 2007-10 Minnesota guys really well. He’s been a big part of our success.” • Running Backs (2007-09) • Co-Offensive Coord./Running Backs (2010) Prior to his five seasons in Baltimore, Hammock spent three years at 2005-06 NIU (Running Backs) the University of Wisconsin, where he was the running backs coach and 2003-04 Wisconsin (Graduate Assistant) assistant head coach. In 2011, Hammock’s first season in Madison, the POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE Badgers ranked 11th nationally in rushing, averaging 235.6 yards per 2018 NFL Playoffs (Baltimore Ravens) game. Hammock helped Montee Ball lead the nation in rushing yards 2014 NFL Playoffs (Baltimore Ravens) (1,923) and break Barry Sanders’ single-season NCAA touchdown 2013 Capital One Bowl (Wisconsin) record with 39 scores, including 33 rushing. Ball was a consensus first 2012 Rose Bowl Game (Wisconsin) team All-American and a Heisman Trophy finalist for the Badgers, who 2012 Big Ten Championship Game (Wisconsin) 2011 Rose Bowl Game (Wisconsin) finished 11-3 and played in the Rose Bowl. 2011 Big Ten Championship Game (Wisconsin) The following season, Wisconsin once again ranked among the 2009 Insight Bowl (Minnesota) 2008 Insight Bowl (MInnesota) nation’s elite rushing teams with an average of 236.4 rushing yards per 2006 Poinsettia Bowl (NIU) game to rank 13th nationally. Ball became the NCAA’s all-time leader 2005 MAC Championship (NIU) in rushing touchdowns with 77 and won the Doak Walker Award as the 2004 Outback Bowl (Wisconsin) nation’s top running back, as he gained 1,830 rushing yards to lead 2003 Music City Bowl (Wisconsin) Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl. PLAYING EXPERIENCE In 2013, Hammock’s final season at Wisconsin, the Badgers set a 1999-2002 NIU (Tailback) school record with 3,689 rushing yards to rank eighth in the nation. James White and Melvin Gordon each earned second team All-Big Ten EDUCATION College B.S., NIU, 2002 M.S., Wisconsin, 2005 High School Bishop Luers (Ind.), 1999

PERSONAL Birthplace Jersey City, N.J. Hometown Fort Wayne, Ind. Family Wife, Cheynnitha, daughter Tierra; son Thomas Douglas seasons as an assistant at NIU under Huskie Hall of Famer Joe Novak (2005-06). Hammock then served stints as a college assistant coach at Minnesota and Wisconsin before joining the Baltimore Ravens organization in 2014 In five seasons as the running backs coach with the Ravens, Hammock helped Baltimore’s rushing attack finish in the top 11 in the NFL three times, including this past season when the Ravens had the second-best rushing offense in the league, averaging 152.6 yards per game. The Ravens made the playoffs twice in Hammock’s time in Baltimore. During Hammock’s first season in 2014, Hammock helped revitalize the Ravens run game that had finished 30th in the NFL the prior season. The 2014 Ravens finished eighth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 126.2 yards per game, as they posted a 10-6 record and reached the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs as a wild card. Hammock helped mentor running back Justin Forsett to his first career Pro Bowl in 2014 as he rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards, fifth-most in the NFL. Baltimore fullback Kyle Juszczyk was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2016 after he led the NFL in catches (37) and receiving yards (266) by a fullback. The Ravens run game finished 11th in the league in 2017 as they averaged 116.0 yards per game. Alex Collins had a breakout season Hammock was a 1,000-yard rusher for the Huskies in both 2000 under Hammock’s guidance, rushing for 973 yards while tallying 1,160 and 2001, while garnering CoSIDA first team Academic All-America yards from scrimmage. Collins’ 4.6 yards per catch ranks fourth among honors each year. running backs in the NFL. 12 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

honors as the duo each rushed for over 1,000 yards. Gordon was a semifinalist for both the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards; the Badgers finished the season with a 9-4 record. Hammock’s three seasons at Wisconsin from 2011- 13 marked his second stint with the Badgers program, having begun his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin in 2003-04. During that time, UW played in the Music City Bowl (2003) and the Outback Bowl (2004). The former Huskie running back returned to DeKalb as an assistant coach for head coach Joe Novak for two seasons in 2005-06. In Hammock’s first season, NIU Hall of Famer Garrett Wolfe rushed for 1,580 yards and 16 touchdowns in just nine games as NIU won the MAC West Division and appeared in the MAC Championship Game for the first time. During the 2006 campaign, Wolfe rushed for an NCAA-best 1,928 yards as the Huskies reached the Poinsettia Bowl. Hammock helped Wolfe earn All-America and first team All-MAC honors in both 2005 and 2006. Wolfe was also the Vern Smith Leadership Award winner as the MAC’s Most Valuable Player in 2006. Following his two seasons with the Huskies, Hammock spent four years as the running backs coach at the University of Minnesota (2007-10), helping the Golden Gophers to the Insight Bowl in both 2008 and 2009. Hammock was named the co-offensive The Hammock Family (clockwise): Thomas, Cheynnitha, Thomas Douglas, Tierra coordinator at Minnesota for the 2010 season and the As a player, Hammock gained 2,432 rushing yards in 32 games in Gophers moved up 26 spots nationally in rushing and 34 spots in total his NIU career (1999-2002), which still ranks 13th all-time in Huskie offense. history. He was a two-time first team CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2000 and 2001; Hammock remains the only football student-athlete in school history with that distinction. He earned first team All-MAC honors in both seasons after back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. As a sophomore, he ranked sixth in the country in scoring (10.7/game), 12th in rushing (120.3 yards/game) and his career totals included 12 100-yard rushing games. A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Hammock entered his junior season of 2002 as a Doak Walker Award candidate and an honorable mention preseason All-American. In the first game of that season, a 42-41 overtime win over Wake Forest, he rushed for 172 yards on 38 carries to earn Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors. Following the game, though, Hammock experienced trouble breathing and chest discomfort. After a series of tests and following the recommendations from multiple doctors and specialists throughout the region, he was sidelined for the remainder of the season. In December 2002, shortly after graduating from NIU, and with a season of eligibility remaining, he announced his retirement due to a heart-related condition. Hammock initially put his NIU degree to work in the business world before reaching out to then Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez and securing a spot as a graduate assistant in Madison, marking the beginning of his coaching career. Hammock earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from NIU in December 2002, and a master’s in educational leadership and policy analysis from Wisconsin in 2004. He and his wife, Cheynnitha, also a NIU alum, have a daughter, Tierra, and a son, Thomas Douglas. Hammock, whose first full-time assistant coaching job was as an assistant at NIU in 2005-06 is the 23rd head coach in NIU history. NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 13 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

HAMMOCK’S COACHING RECORD Year School W-L Postseason Responsibilities 2003 Wisconsin 7-6 Music City Bowl Graduate Assistant 2004 Wisconsin 9-3 Outback Bowl Graduate Assistant Wisconsin Totals (2 seasons) 16-9 Two Bowl Appearances

2005 NIU 7-5 MAC Championship Game Running Backs 2006 NIU 7-6 Poinsettia Bowl Running Backs NIU Totals (2 seasons) 14-11 One MAC Championship Game; Bowl Appearance

2007 Minnesota 1-11 Running Backs 2008 Minnesota 7-6 Insight Bowl Running Backs 2009 Minnesota 6-7 Insight Bowl Running Backs 2010 Minnesota 3-9 Running Backs/Co-offensive Coord. Minnesota Totals (4 seasons) 17-33 Two Bowl Appearances

2011 Wisconsin 11-3 Big Ten Champ. Game/Rose Bowl Running Backs 2012 Wisconsin 8-6 Big Ten Champ. Game/Rose Bowl Asst. Head Coach/RBs/Recruiting Coord. 2013 Wisconsin 9-4 Capital One Bowl Asst. Head Coach/RBs/Recruiting Coord. Wisconsin Totals (3 seasons) 28-13 Three Bowl Appearances

2014 Baltimore Ravens 10-6 AFC Wild Card; Advanced to Divisional Round Running Backs 2015 Baltimore Ravens 5-11 Running Backs 2016 Baltimore Ravens 8-8 Running Backs 2017 Baltimore Ravens 9-7 Running Backs 2018 Baltimore Ravens 10-6 AFC North Champions; AFC Wild Card Round Running Backs Baltimore Totals (5 seasons) 42-13 2 NFL Playoff Berths

CAREER TOTALS (16 seasons) 117-79 2 NFL Playoff Berths, 3 Conference Championship Game Appearances 8 Bowl Game Appearances

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING OZZIE NEWSOME JOHN HARBAUGH Executive Vice President, Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens “He’s a very good coach that understands offense, both the pass game “He’s a tremendous coach, great leader and great developer of players. and the run game. He has done an excellent job of recruiting undrafted He’s a smart game planner, hard-nosed disciplinarian but a player’s college free agents, one of which is Gus Edwards. I think that will help coach at the same time. He relates to his guys really well. I just love him be able to go into houses and recruit at Northern Illinois University. him. He’s been a big part of our success and we’re going to miss him He’s just a great person and has a personality about him that will fit in greatly, but our loss is Northern’s gain. They should be really happy to multiple settings.” have him. I know he’s really excited.”

JOE NOVAK BARRY ALVAREZ Former NIU Head Coach Athletic Director & Former Head Coach, Wisconsin “I think Sean Frazier hit a grand slam. Thomas was here during some “He’s a good communicator, a really good communicator. I think he can tough times. He helped us turn the program around. He knows DeKalb, relate to kids, he can relate to other coaches. I think he’ll be someone he knows NIU, and he knows what The Hard Way is. He was part of that can sell the program and yet he can be a disciplinarian with the The Hard Way. He himself was a great example of what a true student- athletes. He’s a no nonsense guy.” athlete was. He was a two-time Academic All-American, a great running back. I just think it’s a great choice. He knows the Midwest, he’s one of BRET BIELEMA ours. I’m so happy for him, I think it’s wonderful.” Consultant to the Head Coach, New England Patriots “He’s one of those guys that can enter a room in any environment and be successful. He’s a very bright personality, very outgoing.”

14 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF DERRICK JACKSON Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties First Season at NIU (Second Overall) Duke (1993)

Derrick Jackson, a 20-year collegiate coaching veteran whose résumé includes ABOUT JACKSON stints at Purdue, Wake Forest, Michigan COACHING EXPERIENCE State, Syracuse and NIU, joined the 2019- NIU (Assoc. Head Coach/Def. Coord./Safeties) Northern Illinois University football 2017-18 Purdue (Cornerbacks) coaching staff as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and 2012-16 Wake Forest safeties coach in February 2019. • Cornerbacks (2014-16) • Defensive Backs (2013) Jackson, who previously worked at NIU as the Huskies’ defensive • Linebackers (2012) tackles coach in 2005, spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons as cornerbacks 2011 Rice (Defensive Line) coach and defensive recruiting coordinator at Purdue, helping the 2010 Akron (Defensive Line) Boilermakers to a pair of bowl appearances, including a 38-35 victory 2007-09 Syracuse over Arizona in the 2017 Foster Farms Bowl. • Defensive Line (2009) • Co-Def. Coord./DL (2008) At Purdue in 2017, the Boilermakers’ defense ranked in the top 30 • Defensive Line (2007) in the country in scoring defense (24th) and rushing defense (29th), 2006 Michigan State (Defensive Line) a marked improvement from the previous year when Purdue ranked 2005 NIU (Defensive Tackles) 117th and 115th, respectively, in those categories. During his tenure in 2003-04 Eastern Illinois (Defensive Line) West Lafayette, four different cornerbacks earned All-Big Ten honors. 2001-02 Army (Defensive Ends) 1999-2000 West Georgia (Tight Ends) At Wake Forest from 2012-16, as outside linebackers (2012), defensive backs (2013) and cornerbacks (2014-16) coach, the defense POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE showed similar improvements. The Demon Deacons ranked in the Top 2018 Music City Bowl (Purdue) 40 in the nation in total defense in 2013, ’14 and ’15, and Wake Forest 2017 Foster Farm’s Bowl (Purdue) won the 2016 Military Bowl behind a scoring defense that ranked 2016 Military Bowl (Wake Forest) 2005 MAC Championship Game (NIU) 23rd nationally. During his time coaching the WFU defensive backs, six of his players earned All-ACC honors, three played in post-season all- PLAYING EXPERIENCE star games and cornerback Kevin Johnson was a first round draft pick 1988-92 Duke (Defensive Back) by the Houston Texans in the 2015 NFL Draft. Jackson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, coached the defensive line at EDUCATION College B.A., Duke, 1993 Rice in 2011 and at Akron in 2010. From 2007-09, he was defensive line High School West Morris Central, 1988 coach at Syracuse, and served as co-defensive coordinator in 2008. His pupils at Syracuse included defensive tackle Arthur Jones, a three-time PERSONAL All-Big East selection and 2009 third-team All-American, and Freshman Birthplace Cincinnati, Ohio All-American defensive end Chandler Jones. Both Arthur Jones Hometown Cincinnati, Ohio (5th round, Baltimore Ravens, 2010) and Chandler Jones (1st round, Family Wife, Renae, have twins, daughter Alana Mae; New England Patriots, 2012) went on to be selected in the NFL Draft. son Dakota John Before working at Syracuse, Jackson spent the 2006 campaign as defensive line coach at Michigan State. The Spartans limited the A four-year letterwinner at Duke as a defensive back, Jackson started opposition to eight rushing touchdowns that season. Jackson’s first 40 consecutive games and finished his career as the eighth-leading stint at NIU came in 2005 under head coach Joe Novak, when he served tackler in school history. He was named the team’s most outstanding as defensive line coach on the staff that led the Huskies to a 7-5 record defensive back twice, and was a member of the Blue Devils’ 1989 and its first MAC Championship game alongside NIU Head Coach Atlantic Coast Conference co-championship and All-American Bowl Thomas Hammock. That season, Jackson coached first team All-MAC team. selection Quince Holman. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Duke in 1992. Jackson Prior to NIU, Jackson spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons at Eastern and his wife, Renae, are the parents of twins; daughter Alana Mae and Illinois as defensive line coach, and was the defensive ends coach at son Dakota John. Renae, also a Duke graduate, was a standout long Army in 2001 and 2002. He began his coaching career at West Georgia jumper for the Blue Devils, leaving as the school’s all-time leader in as tight ends coach in 1999 and 2000. that event. As a young coach, he spent two summers as part of the NFL Coaching Fellowship program with the Miami Dolphins (2001) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002).

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 15 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF ERIC EIDSNESS Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks First Season at NIU Sioux Falls (1993)

After leading one of the most successful offenses in the country at South Dakota ABOUT EIDSNESS State, Eric Eidsness joined the Northern COACHING EXPERIENCE Illinois University football staff as offensive 2019- NIU (Off. Coord./QBs) coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2010-18 South Dakota State January 2019. • Passing Game Coord./QBs (2010-11) Eidsness came to NIU from South Dakota State, where he was • Off. Coord./QBs (2012-14) • Assoc. Head Coach/Off. Coord./QBs (2015-18) offensive coordinator from 2012-18; adding associate head coach 2004-09 Southwest Minnesota State (Head Coach) responsibilities in 2015. During his time at SDSU, the Jackrabbits 1999-2003 South Dakota State made seven straight appearances in the FCS (Football Championship • Asst. Head Coach (2003) Subdivision) Playoffs, including in 2018, when the offense averaged a • Off. Coord./QBs/WRs (1999-2003) school-record 42.5 points and 480.5 yards per game to rank fifth and 1998-99 Ferris State • Off. Coord./QBs/WRs (1999) 10th in the nation, respectively. The Jackrabbits finished 10-3 and made • Special Teams Coord. (1998) their second consecutive appearance in the FCS semifinals in 2018, and 1996-98 South Dakota State (Graduate Assistant) were ranked third in both final polls. The SDSU offense featured four 1994-95 Morningside College (QBs/WRs) All-Americans and seven all-conference players. 1992-93 Robinson Sphinx The South Dakota State offensive record book was rewritten multiple • Head coach (1993) • Off. Coord./QBs/WRs (1992) times under Eidsness’ direction as the Jacks established 28 single- game, season and career marks in 2016, broke 15 records in 2017 and POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE set or extended 25 school records last year. As quarterbacks coach, in 2018 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) addition to his offensive coordinator and associate head coach roles, 2017 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) Eidsness mentored Austin Sumner and Taryn Christion to the top of the 2016 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) 2015 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) school record books in every passing category. 2014 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) Christion was a three-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, 2013 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) presented to the top offensive player in the FCS, in 2016, ’17 and ’18. 2012 NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Dakota State) Tight end Dallas Goedert was also a two-time Payton Award finalist 1993 Euro Bowl Semifinals (Robinson Sphinx) before being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft by 1992 Euro Bowl Finals (Robinson Sphinx) the Philadelphia Eagles. Wide receiver Jake Weineke was a four-time PLAYING EXPERIENCE All-American for Eidsness and the Jackrabbits and a two-time Payton 1989-92 Sioux Falls (Quarterback & Wide Receiver) Award finalist. From 2012-14, the SDSU offense featured Zach Zenner, who became EDUCATION the only running back in NCAA Division I history to rush for more than College B.A., Sioux Falls, 1993 M.S., South Dakota State, 1998 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons; Zenner was also a three-time High School Sioux Falls - Lincoln 1997 Walter Payton Award Finalist for the Jackrabbits and has played the last four seasons for the Detroit Lions. PERSONAL Prior to returning to South Dakota State for his third stint at the Birthplace Iowa City, Iowa Brookings, South Dakota school, Eidsness was the head coach at Hometown Sioux Falls, South Dakota Family Wife Brandy, sons Eli and Otto, daughters Isla, Southwest Minnesota State University from 2004-09. He built the Olive and the late Audrey Rose program from a roster of just 13 eligible players when he arrived to 120, while raising the team GPA from 2.2 to 2.9. quarterbacks and wide receivers. In five seasons, the offense broke 36 During his tenure with the Mustangs, he compiled a 26-40 record, school offensive records. In 2003, when he was also the assistant head which included a 6-5 season in 2008 — only the eighth winning season coach, Eidsness was one of three finalists for the AFCA Assistant Coach in school history. His 26 victories as head coach rank second in program of the Year honor for Division II. history. A Sioux Falls (S.D.) native, Eidsness attended St. Cloud State University While at the helm of the Mustang program, Eidsness coached 61 all- (Minn.) for two years before transferring to the University of Sioux Falls, conference players, including 10 who earned all-region honors. SMSU where he graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in health and increased its scoring average each of his last four seasons, from 20.1 physical education. He spent two years playing in Europe, where he also points per game in 2006 to 36.0 points in 2009, tying a school record began his coaching career with the Robinson Sphinx in Paris, France. with eight games of 30-plus points. The 2009 team averaged 396.2 Upon returning to the , Eidsness served as quarterbacks yards of total offense per game. and receivers coach at Morningside during the 1994 and 1995 seasons Eidsness began his association with South Dakota State football as a before enrolling in graduate school at SDSU, where he earned his graduate assistant in 1996 and 1997, working with the team’s receivers. master’s in athletic administration. After a year as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and receivers at Eidness and his wife Brandy have five children; sons Eli and Otto and Ferris State (Mich.), he returned to SDSU – then a Division II institution daughters Isla, Olive and the late Audrey Rose. - in 1999 as offensive coordinator, while also coaching the team’s 16 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF ROBERT WIMBERLY Executive Assistant Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers First Season at NIU Alabama A&M (2002)

Robert Wimberly, a veteran defensive coach who served as the defensive ABOUT WIMBERLY coordinator at Liberty University for the COACHING EXPERIENCE past seven seasons, joined the Northern 2019 - NIU (Executive Asst. Coach/Co-Def. Coord./LBs) Illinois University football coaching staff 2012-18 Liberty in January 2019 as executive assistant coach, co-defensive coordinator • Assoc. Head Coach/Def. Coord. (2018) and linebackers coach. • Defensive Coordinator (2012-18) 2010-11 Kansas (Pass Game Coord./Safeties) Wimberly’s time at Liberty saw the Flames transition from the 2009 Buffalo (Linebackers) FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), to FBS (Football Bowl 2004-08 Liberty (Linebackers) Subdivision), and he added associate head coach duties in 2018. Like 2002-03 Wisconsin (Graduate Assistant) NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock, he began his career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin, where the two coached together in 2003. POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE 2014 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Liberty) Wimberly’s defenses at Liberty, where he also coached the safeties, 2003 Music City Bowl (Wisconsin) ranked among the best in the FCS with 30 players named all-conference 2002 Alamo Bowl (Wisconsin) during his seven seasons. Two of his Liberty players went on to NFL careers, including 2014 fourth round selection Walt Aikins (Miami PLAYING EXPERIENCE Dolphins). Wimberly was named the 2014 American Football Coaches 1999-2002 Alabama A&M (Wide Receiver) Association (AFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year for the FCS. EDUCATION Liberty won four Big South Conference titles (2012-14, 2016) and College B.S., Alabama A&M, 2002 made the school’s first appearance in the FCS Playoffs in 2014 during M.A., Wisconsin, 2005 Wimberly’s tenure. The Flames finished the 2014 season ranked 17th in High School Miramar (Fla.), 1997 the country in the FCS Coaches Poll. During Liberty’s transition to the FBS in 2017 and its inaugural FBS season in 2018, the Flames won six PERSONAL games each year with notable wins over Baylor, New Mexico and Troy. Birthplace Miami, Fla. Hometown Miami, Fla. Wimberly’s latest stint at Liberty was his second at the school as he Family Wife Tracie, daughter Bianca, and son Josiah also served as linebacker coach for the Flames from 2004-08. During his career at Liberty, he coached five All-Big South Team linebackers, while a pair of his Flames players, including two-time All-American Jacob Hagen and Vince Redd, went on to play in the NFL. In 2009, he coached linebackers at Buffalo and he spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons at Kansas as passing game coordinator and safeties coach. He earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Alabama A&M in 2002 and graduated with a master’s degree in educational policy from Wisconsin in 2005. A native of Miami, Fla., Wimberly played collegiately at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was a four-year letterwinner. Wimberly and his wife, Tracie, have two children; daughter Bianca and son Josiah.

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 17 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF DARYL AGPALSA Offensive Line First Season at NIU Linfield (2002)

NIU offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa joined the Huskie coaching staff in ABOUT AGPALSA January 2019 after four seasons at the COACHING EXPERIENCE University at Buffalo. 2019 - NIU (Offensive Line) As the offensive line coach for the Bulls, Agpalsa coached five All- 2014-18 Buffalo (Offensive Line) MAC performers from 2015-18, while UB ranked in the Top 10 in the 2012-13 UW-Whitewater (Offensive Line) 2010-12 Minnesota (Graduate Asst.-Offensive Line) country in fewest sacks and fewest tackles for loss allowed in 2018, and 2007-09 Hamline (Offensive Line) were 22nd in sacks allowed and seventh in fewest TFLs surrendered in 2003-06 Linfield (Offensive Line) 2017. The Bulls won 10 games and the MAC East Division in 2018 en route to an appearance in the Dollar General Bowl. POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE Prior to his time at Buffalo, Agpalsa spent two seasons as the 2018 Dollar General Bowl (Buffalo) 2018 MAC Championship Game (Buffalo) offensive line coach at Division III power Wisconsin-Whitewater. During 2014 NCAA D-III Playoffs* (Whitewater) his two seasons, the Warhawks went undefeated, winning the 2013 and 2013 NCAA D-III Playoffs* (Whitewater) 2014 National Championships, and led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate 2012 Texas Bowl (Minnesota) Athletic Conference (WIAC) in scoring offense (40.1 ppg), rushing 2004 NCAA D-III Playoffs* (Linfield) offense (218.2) and passing offense (269.5). * - National Champions Before Whitewater, Agpalsa served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, working primarily with the offensive line, PLAYING EXPERIENCE for three seasons, where he first encountered NIU Head Coach Thomas 1999-2002 Linfield (Offensive Line) Hammock. Agpalsa coached the offensive line at Hamline (Minn.) University EDUCATION College B.A., Linfield, 2002 for three seasons (2007-09) and was on the staff at Linfield College M.E., Minnesota, 2012 (Oregon), his alma mater, from 2003-06. He helped produce four all- High School Kamehameha [Honolulu, Hawaii], 1999 conference offensive linemen during his time at Hamline, and 10 all- conference linemen, including two All-Americans, at Linfield, which PERSONAL won three straight league titles (2003, 2004, 2005) and the 2004 NCAA Birthplace Honolulu, Hawaii Division III championship. Hometown Waipahu, Hawaii Family Wife, Ali, daughters Addison and Hailey, son A native of Waipahu, Hawaii, Agpalsa was a first team All-American Noa offensive lineman at Linfield in 2002 and was named all-Northwest Conference three times. The Wildcats won three league championships in his four seasons as a starter. He earned his bachelor’s in business from Linfield in 2002 and a master’s degree in education (applied kinesiology and sport management) from Minnesota in 2012. Agpalsa and his wife Ali have two daughters, Addison and Hailey, and a son, Noa.

18 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF ATIF AUSTIN Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator First Season at NIU Iowa State (2003)

Atif Austin joined the Huskie football coaching staff in February 2019 as ABOUT AUSTIN assistant coach, working with the NIU COACHING EXPERIENCE running backs, and serving as special 2019 - NIU (RBs/Special Teams Coord.) teams coordinator. 2018 New England Patriots (Asst. RBs) Austin comes to NIU with a championship pedigree, having spent 2014-17 North Dakota State (WRs/Special Teams Coord.) the 2018 season as an assistant running backs coach with the Super 2013 Stetson (RBs/Special Teams) Bowl Champion New England Patriots. The Patriots ranked fifth in the 2010-11 Tarpon Springs H.S. (Head Coach/OC/ST) 2005-09 Northern Iowa National Football League with 127.3 rushing yards a game last season, • RBs/Special Teams (2005-07) led by Sony Michel who gained 931 yards on 209 carries. • RBs/Special Teams Coord. (2008-09) Prior to his year in the NFL, the native of Tarpon Springs, Fla. spent 2003-04 Southwest Minnesota State (Graduate Assistant) four seasons (2014-18) with Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse North Dakota State, coaching the Bison wide receivers POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE 2019 NFL Playoffs* (New England Patriots) while serving as special teams coordinator. 2017 NCAA FCS Playoffs^ (North Dakota State) During his four-year tenure in Fargo, the Bison made four FCS Playoff 2016 NCAA FCS Playoffs (North Dakota State) appearances, won three National Championships and four Missouri 2015 NCAA FCS Playoffs^ (North Dakota State) Valley Football Conference titles. Austin mentored North Dakota State 2014 NCAA FCS Playoffs^ (North Dakota State) wide receivers Zach Vraa and Darrius Shepherd, who rank first and 2008 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Northern Iowa) 2007 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Northern Iowa) second, respectively, in NDSU career receiving yards and career pass 2005 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Northern Iowa) receptions. 2002 Humanitarian Bowl (Iowa State, player) A four-year starter at defensive back for Iowa State (1999-2002), 2001 Independence Bowl (Iowa State, player) Austin was the running backs coach at Stetson in 2013. He also spent 2000 Insight.com Bowl (Iowa State, player) * - Super Bowl Champions five seasons as running backs coach and special teams coordinator ^ - NCAA Champions at Northern Iowa from 2005-10 after beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southwest Minnesota State (2003-04). The PLAYING EXPERIENCE Panthers made three FCS Playoff appearances during his stay in Cedar 1999-2002 Iowa State (Defensive Back) Falls, Iowa. EDUCATION Iowa State played in three bowl games during his playing career College B.S., Iowa State, 2003 under head coach Dan McCarney. He earned his bachelor’s degree in M.S., Minnesota State-Marshall, 2005 sociology from Iowa State in 2003 and his master’s in leadership & High School Tarpon Springs, 1999 education from Southwest Minnesota State in 2005. Austin, and his wife Tori, have three children; Djoni, Amni and A.J. Personal Birthplace Tampa, Fla. Hometown Tarpon Springs, Fla. Family Wife Tori, children Djoni, Amni and AJ.

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 19 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF JORDAN GIGLI Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator First Season at NIU Trine University (2003)

Veteran defensive coach Jordan Gigli joined the Northern Illinois University ABOUT GIGLI football staff in January 2019 as defensive COACHING EXPERIENCE line coach and recruiting coordinator. 2019 - NIU (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coord.) Gigli (pronounced GEE-lee) was the defensive line coach at the 2014-18 North Dakota (Defensive Line) University of North Dakota from 2014-18, where he coached 10 players 2011-13 Sacramento State (Defensive Line) to all-conference honors. The Fighting Hawks ranked in the Top 25 in 2007-10 Minnesota (Defensive Quality Control) the country (Football Championship Subdivision) in scoring defense 2006 Wittenberg (Defensive Line) 2004-05 Western Illinois (Graduate Assistant) and rushing defense in 2018 and were one of the top three teams in the FCS in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE During his time at North Dakota, Gigli’s line helped the Fighting 2016 NCAA FCS D-II Playoffs (North Dakota) Hawks rank as one of the top rushing defenses in the country, and 2009 Insight Bowl (Minnesota) UND was ranked as one of the top two defenses (total defense and 2008 Insight Bowl (Minnesota) 2006 NCAA D-III Playoffs (Wittenberg) rushing defense) in the Big Sky Conference in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 while also leading, or ranking second in the league in tackles for PLAYING EXPERIENCE loss and sacks. 1999-2002 Trine (Defensive Line) Prior to his time at North Dakota, Gigli spent three seasons as defensive line coach at Sacramento State, where he helped tutor first EDUCATION College B.S., Trine, 2003 team All-American, and eventual Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach M.A., Western Illinois, 2006 Nash. From 2007-2011, Gigli was the defensive quality control coach High School Bishop Luers, 1999 at Minnesota, where he worked with the defensive line and linebackers and coached the special teams at the same time NIU Head Coach PERSONAL Thomas Hammock was on staff as the running backs coach. Birthplace Fort Wayne, Ind. Hometown Fort Wayne, Ind. Gigli, who was an two-time all-conference player and team captain Family Wife, Samantha at Trine University in Indiana, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois in 2004-2005, and spent the next year at Division III Playoff team Wittenberg University as defensive line coach before moving on to Minnesota. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration - marketing from Trine in 2003 and a master’s degree from WIU in kinesiology/sport management in 2006.

20 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF HOUSTON JONES Wide Receivers First Season at NIU Iowa State (2009)

Houston Jones joined the Northern Illinois University football coaching staff ABOUT JONES in February 2019 as wide receivers coach. COACHING EXPERIENCE A former wide receiver at Iowa State 2019- NIU (Wide Receivers) University, Jones came to DeKalb from Concordia University in St. Paul, 2016-18 Concordia (QBs/Pass Game Coord.) Minn. where he was passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach 2013-15 Dakota Wesleyan (QBs/WRs) from 2016-2018. 2012 Northeast Academy (Co-Off. Coord./QBs/DBs) 2011 Western Heights H.S. (WRs/DBs) Before joining the Golden Bears staff, Jones was the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Dakota Wesleyan for three seasons, where he POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE also earned his master’s degree in educational policy & administration. 2009 Insight Bowl (Iowa State, player) He worked with standout wide receiver Anthony Muilenburg, who set 2005 Houston Bowl (Iowa State, player) the program’s single game receiving yards record (251) and was the ninth-ranked receiver in NAIA with 1,002 yards in 2013. PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2005-08 Iowa State (Wide Receiver) A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Jones played wide receiver at Iowa State from 2005-09 and earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and EDUCATION sciences in 2009. He and his wife Samantha have a daughter, Parker. College B.A., Iowa State, 2009 M.A., Dakota Wesleyan, 2015 High School Northeast Academy [Oklahoma City, Okla.], 2005

PERSONAL Birthplace Oklahoma City, Okla. Hometown Oklahoma City, Okla. Family Wife Samantha, daughter Parker

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 21 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF TRAVIS MOORE Defensive Ends First Season at NIU NIU (2005)

Travis Moore, a two-time All Mid- American Conference performer at ABOUT MOORE defensive end for NIU who has been COACHING EXPERIENCE the head coach at Dwight D. Eisenhower 2019 - NIU (Defensive Ends) High School in Blue Island, Illinois for the 2006-18 Eisenhower High School (Head Coach) past 12 years, returned to his alma mater as defensive ends coach in 2004 Oswego East High School (Asst. Coach) February 2019. As head coach at Eisenhower, his alma mater, since 2006, Moore led POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE 2017 IHSA Playoffs (Eisenhower H.S.) the Cardinals to the playoffs in six of his 12 seasons and was named 2015 IHSA Playoffs (Eisenhower H.S.) the High School Football Coach of the Year by Prep Insight Magazine 2011 IHSA Playoffs (Eisenhower H.S.) in 2017. Eisenhower won the first two South Suburban Conference 2008 IHSA Playoffs (Eisenhower H.S.) Red championships in school history under his direction, in 2011 and 2007 IHSA Playoffs (Eisenhower H.S.) 2015, and he had an overall winning percentage of 57 percent. Moore 2004 Silicon Valley Classic (player, NIU) managed a team of 15 assistant coaches and had more than 150 student-athletes in the Eisenhower program on an annual basis. PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2000-04 NIU (Defensive Line) Prior to going to Eisenhower, Moore spent one year as an assistant coach at Oswego East High School, where he was a part of establishing the school’s first varsity football program. EDUCATION College B.A., NIU, 2005 A native of Robbins, Illinois, Moore originally joined the NIU program High School Eisenhower [Blue Island, Ill.], 2000 as a walk-on for the 2000 season, but quickly established himself and started seven contests as a redshirt freshman in 2001. He went on to PERSONAL earn first team All-MAC honors in 2002 and 2004 at defensive end and Birthplace Harvey, Ill. finished his career with 146 tackles, 25 for loss. Hometown Robinson, Ill. Family Wife Angela, daughter Mya, son Travis Jr. A teammate of NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock at NIU, Moore earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration in English in 2004. He was a part of Huskie teams under coach Joe Novak that established the winning tradition that continues today. Moore and his wife, Angela, have a daughter, Mya and a son, Travis Jr.

22 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF TONY SORRENTINO Tight Ends/Fullbacks First Season at NIU The College of New Jersey (2005)

A veteran coach with experience at the high school, collegiate and professional ABOUT SORRENTINO levels, Tony Sorrentino comes to NIU after COACHING EXPERIENCE spending the 2018 season as director of 2019 - NIU (Tight Ends/Fullbacks) football operations at Florida Atlantic. He 2018 Florida Atlantic (Dir. of Football Ops) will coach the NIU tight ends and fullbacks in 2019. 2017 Tennessee (Wide Receivers Analyst) 2013-16 Jacksonville Jaguars A New Jersey native, Sorrentino first worked with NIU Head Coach • Asst. Wide Receivers (2016) Thomas Hammock at Minnesota, where Sorrentino served as offensive • Asst. WR/Quality Control (2013-15) quality control in coach 2009 and quarterbacks coach in 2010. 2012 The College of New Jersey (QBs/Pass Game Coord.) 2011 Miami (Offensive Graduate Assistant) In addition to working at FAU and Minnesota, Sorrentino had stops 2009-10 Minnesota at the University of Miami (2011), Tennessee (2017), and his alma mater, • Quarterbacks (2010) The College of New Jersey (2007 & 2012), at the collegiate level. • Offensive Quality Control (2009) 2008 Montville Township High School (TE/DE/Kickers) Sorrentino also spent time in the National Football League spending 2007 The College of New Jersey (Linebackers) four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-16) where he worked 2006 West Essex High School (WR/DB/LS) 2005 Morristown Beard High School (WR/DB/LS) with the wide receivers. Under Sorrentino’s tutelage, Jaguar wide receiver Marqise Lee posted career highs in receptions, receiving yards POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE and receiving touchdowns in 2016. Former Jaguar and current 2009 Insight Bowl (Minnesota) Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson earned his first Pro Bowl recognition in 2015 with 1,400 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns. Also in 2015, PLAYING EXPERIENCE Allen Hurns became the youngest undrafted player since the 1970 NFL 2001-04 The College of New Jersey (Wide Receiver) merger to post 1,000-plus receiving yards and 10-plus receiving TDs in a single season. EDUCATION College B.S., The College of New Jersey, 2005 Prior to moving into the collegiate and professional coaching ranks, M.S., The College of New Jersey, 2012 Sorrentino began his coaching career in the New Jersey prep ranks High School Mountain Lakes, 2001 with stints at Montville Township High School (2008), West Essex High School (2006) and Morristown Beard High School (2005). PERSONAL Birthplace Belleville, N.J. He and wife, Kara, welcomed a daughter, Marea, this year to join their Hometown Parsippany, N.J. son, Anthony Jr. Family Wife Kara, son Anthony Jr. and daughter Marea

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 23 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF AARON WILKINS Cornerbacks First Season at NIU Fresno State (2007)

Aaron Wilkins, a member of the Liberty University defensive staff for the past ABOUT WILKINS five seasons, joined the Northern Illinois COACHING EXPERIENCE University football coaching staff as 2018 NIU (Cornerbacks) cornerbacks coach in February 2019. 2014-18 Liberty Wilkins arrived at NIU after five total seasons at Liberty, where he • SPUR and Nickels (2018) advanced from a volunteer coach working with the Flames’ special • Defensive Line (2017) teams, to a defensive quality control position (2015-16), to defensive • Def. Quality Control (2015-16) • Special Teams (2014) line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator (2017) to coaching 2013 Reedley College (Secondary/Recruiting Coord.) defensive backs (2018) in addition to his recruiting duties. Wilkins 2012 Yosemite High School (Def. Coord./Secondary) helped Liberty capture the program’s eighth Big South title in 2016 and 2008-11 Firebaugh High School (Def. Coord./Secondary) he was a part of Liberty’s staff that led the Flames to a thrilling 48-45 win over Baylor to open the 2017 season. During his time at the school, PLAYING EXPERIENCE Liberty transitioned from FCS to FBS. 2006 San Diego (Safety) 2004-05 Reedley College (Safety) Wilkins came to Liberty from his native California, after three seasons (2011-13) on the defensive staff at Reedley College, where he also EDUCATION played junior college football. He coached inside linebackers in 2011 College B.A., Fresno State, 2007 at Reedley, worked with the secondary in 2012 and 2013, and served High School Yosemite, 2002 as recruiting and placement coordinator in 2013. He coached four all- conference defensive backs and all four of his players transferred to PERSONAL FBS programs. Birthplace Reedley, Calif. Hometown Oakhurst, Calif. A native of Oakhurst, Calif., Wilkins began his coaching career in the Family Wife Carissa, daughter Abigail high school ranks. He spent four seasons at Firebaugh High School in Firebaugh, Calif. in a variety of roles, including defensive coordinator and secondary coach, head women’s and coach, men’s basketball assistant coach and sprints and jump coach for the track & field team. Wilkins also worked at his high school alma mater, Yosemite High School, in 2012. He served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach for both the Badgers’ varsity and junior varsity teams. A junior college All-American safety at Reedley, Wilkins went on to play safety at the University of San Diego in 2006. He transferred to Fresno State where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and exercise physiology. He and his wife, Carissa, have a daughter, Abigail.

24 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF RYAN NAPOLI Director of Sports Performance - Football First Season at NIU Simpson (2010)

Ryan Napoli comes to NIU as director of sports performance – football after ABOUT NAPOLI spending two seasons as director of strength and conditioning at Southeast COACHING EXPERIENCE 2019 - NIU (Director of Sports Performance - Football) Missouri State. 2017-18 Southeast Missouri St. (Dir. Strength & Conditioning) During his tenure with the Redhawks, Napoli worked with the 2013-16 North Dakota St. (Asst. Strength & Conditioning) 2011-13 North Dakota St. (GA Strength & Conditioning) football, and teams, while scheduling lift times for 2010 Air Force (Volunteer Asst. Strength & Conditioning) all SEMO varsity athletic teams. The Redhawk football team won the school’s first-ever FCS Playoff game when they defeated Stony Brook, EDUCATION 28-14, in the 2018 FCS Playoffs. In addition to working with Redhawk College B.S., Simpson, 2010 student-athletes, Napoli oversaw the implementation of a fueling M.S.Ed., North Dakota State, 2016 station at SEMO. PERSONAL Prior to his two years in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Napoli spent six seasons Birthplace Kansas City, Mo. at North Dakota State. He began his career with the Bison as a summer Hometown Kansas City, Mo. intern in 2011 before assuming the graduate assistant role that fall. He Family Wife, Kelly worked with the North Dakota State and men’s teams, and track & field throwers for two years while serving as first assistant to the head football strength and conditioning coach. Napoli was elevated to assistant strength and conditioning coach at NDSU in the summer of 2013, serving as the first assistant to the director of performance – football, while continuing to work with the Bison wrestling team and the NDSU track & field throwers. The Bison won five FCS national championships and six Missouri Valley Football Conference crowns during his six years in Fargo. In addition to his strength and conditioning duties, Napoli was responsible for the nutrition of the football team, coordinating meals for the Bison throughout the school year. A three-year letterwinner for the Simpson College wrestling team, Napoli began his career in the strength and conditioning profession serving as an undergraduate assistant strength coach for the Storm. He spent a year at the Air Force Academy as a volunteer assistant.

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 25 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

OPERATIONS STAFF DAN WOLFE Asst. Athletic Director/Football Operations Seventh Season at NIU/Iowa (2009)

Dan Wolfe enters his seventh year as a assisting with team travel, and hiring and supervising students for member of the Northern Illinois University operations, video and coaching. football operations staff and his first as assistant athletic director for football Wolfe came to NIU after three seasons at Bucknell University where he operations. was administrative football coordinator. At Bucknell, he coordinated on-campus recruiting visits, football camps, team travel and video. He In his current role, Wolfe is responsible for the day-to-day operations of served as assistant to the head coach and was the liaison between the the NIU football program, including organizing team travel and planning football program and university academic and administrative offices. recruiting visits. He helps develop the budget and works closely with other offices both in the athletics department and throughout campus. He spent one season as the assistant to the director of football Wolfe directs a four-person staff that is also responsible for summer operations at Iowa, where he coordinated the Hawkeyes’ summer camps, video exchange, managing NIU Football’s official social media camps and coaches’ clinic, as well as team functions. accounts and producing highlight videos. They also coordinate the Wolfe graduated from the University of Iowa in 2009 with a bachelor’s team’s community service activities, and assist the coaches and degree in history. He was a football student operations manager student-athletes with numerous off-the-field aspects. for three years, and in 2007, served as the head student operations Wolfe was elevated to his curent position after spending the previous manager where he led Iowa’s 11 student managers. six years as the Huskies’ director of football operations- internal. He Wolfe, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is married to the former Jennifer was responsible for video exchange, organizing all summer camps, Sandrock. The couple has a son, Liam and an infant daughter, Elsie.

CODY TESCHER MATTHEW BIRTELL Asst. Director of Football Operations Asst. Director of Football Operations San Diego (2014) | 3rd Season at NIU NIU (2016) | 1st Season at NIU

Cody Tescher enters his third year as a A graduate of Northern Illinois University, member of the Northern Illinois University Matthew Birtell returned to NIU as an as- football operations staff and his first as sistant director of football operations, in- assistant director of football operations. ternal in 2019. A native of Glendora, Calif., Tescher was Responsible for providing content for the elevated to his current position after team’s social media accounts, Birtell also spending the previous two years as a football operations graduate fulfills the video needs of the program. assistant at NIU. Tescher assists in the Huskies’ recruiting efforts, team travel, and player management. Birtell, a native of DeKalb, joins the Huskie football program after spend- ing the previous three seasons as a video producer, camera operator Tescher, a graduate of the University of San Diego, came to NIU after and editor for the Under Armour All America Tour and Bowl Game. spending the 2016 season as the director of football operations at He has also served as a video technician and manager for ESPN3, NIU UC Davis. A former offensive lineman at San Diego, Tescher served as football and NIU Media Services for the last five seasons. the director of football operations for the at his alma mater from Oct. 2014-June 2016 and director of softball operations from Feb. 2014-July Birtell earned his bachelor’s of science degree in communications-me- 2014. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics from San dia studies from NIU in 2016. Diego in 2014 and his masters in sport management from NIU in 2018.

26 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS TYQUAN HAMMOCK LUCAS SKIBBA Linebackers Offensive Line Michigan State (2013) Wisconsin-Whitewater (2015)

Tyquan Hammock comes to NIU after spending Lucas Skibba joins the NIU coaching staff as a the 2018 season as defensive backs coach at graduate assistant for offensive line after one Kentucky Christian, an NAIA school in Grayson, season as offensive line coach at Dakota State Ky. Under his guidance, cornerback Harmand of the NAIA. St. Hubert earned first team All-Mid South During his season with Trojans, Skibba coached Conference Bluegrass Division honors. all-conference offensive lineman Brandon A 2013 graduate of Michigan State, Hammock was a three-year Schmit and the unit blocked for the league’s leading rusher, Brodie letterwinner for the Spartans from 2009-12. He began his career at Frederiksen. MSU at fullback before moving to linebacker his sophomore year and He went to Dakota State after one year as a graduate assistant at was a key member of the Spartans’ special teams. Murray State, where he worked with the Racers’ offensive line in 2017. The brother of NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, he spent five years Skibba began his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at as director of group living at Rite of Passage before getting his coaching his alma mater in 2016, where he coached two All-American offensive start at Kentucky Christian. He and his wife Kenya have two daughters, linemen and an all-region player. The Warhawks advanced to the Kyleigh and Sadie. quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. A native of Custer, Wis., Skibba was a four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin-Whitewater. He earned all-conference, all-region and All- America honors.

JAKE MENAGE PATRICK SWANSON Wide Receivers Defensive Backs South Dakota State (2017) Wisconsin-Platteville (2017)

Jake Menage enters his first season as a A four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin- graduate assistant coach at NIU after spending Platteville, Patrick Swanson comes to NIU after the 2018 campaign at Southwest Minnesota spending the 2018 season as a football intern State as the team’s running backs coach. at North Dakota. Swanson worked with the Fighting Hawks’ outside linebackers. North A 2017 graduate of South Dakota State Dakota recorded a pair of wins over ranked University, Menage spent five seasons as both foes last season. a quarterback and wide receiver at the school. He was a member of five NCAA playoff teams, including the 2017 squad that advanced Swanson began his coaching career at his alma mater, where he coached to the FCS semifinals. He was named to the Missouri Valley Football the outside linebackers. The Pioneers finished the 2017 campaign with Conference Honor Roll all five years of his career. a 7-3 record. Following his playing career, he was a volunteer assistant coach at A native of Mokena, Ill., Swanson played defensive back at UW- SDSU during the 2018 spring season. Platteville, earning all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in 2016 and serving as team captain.

2019 FOOTBALL INTERNS

RAY HOLMES MATT MORIARTY CADEN MURPHY JUSTINA WOLANIN

NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies 27 2019 NIU FOOTBALL STAFF

FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

JOHN CHENEY HEATH DUNCAN RANDI NAPIENTEK EVAN KLEPEC DONNA TURNER

Exec. Assoc. Athletic Dir. Assistant Athletic Trainer Associate Director Director of Equipment Assoc. Athletic Director Sport AD Football Academic Services Services - Football Communications Fifth Season Second Season Third Season Sixth Season 14th Season

JUNEY BARNETT BEN KASTLER NATALIE HALL ROBERT McVICKAR JOE SUMMINS

Assistant Coach Assistant Athletic Trainer Academic Coordinator Assistant Equipment Director Sports Performance Football Academic Services Manager - Football Athletic Communications First Season Ninth Season First Season Fifth Season 14th Season

BROOKS ANDERSSON ANGELO SEBASTIANO MARIA REYES ALEX WENDLER

Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Football Operations Football Operations Athletic Training Athletic Training First Season First Season First Season Fifth Season

28 NIUHuskies.com | Twitter: @NIUAthletics | Facebook & Instagram: NIU Huskies