Seven years of Thomas Hammock gave NIU its highest highs and lowest lows. Beat Notre Dame one week, lose to Buffalo two weeks later. A tenure defined by wild swings, never in the order anyone expected.

Interim coach Rob Harley said NIU didn’t stay rattled after Hammock’s departure: “There’s a lot of excitement for what is next.”

Beating Notre Dame. Winning the Mid-American Conference in 2021. Joining the Mountain West Conference. NIU athletic director Sean Frazier said the biggest accomplishments of Huskies football for the last seven years don’t happen without Thomas Hammock.

After seven seasons leading the Northern Illinois University football program, head coach Thomas Hammock has resigned to return to a coaching position in the National Football League

“Let me tell you: We won the national championship at Indiana University. It can be done,” said coach Curt Cignetti

NIU announced its finalized 2026 football schedule on Thursday with a trip to Georgia State. That leaves the Huskies with three FBS road games to start the season and a home game against FCS runner-up Illinois State before its inaugural Mountain West slate.

More than a decade after his playing career ended, Jordan Lynch is still making NIU history. Lynch was introduced as a member of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class by the National Football Foundation on Wednesday.

Illinois State (12-5) already made history as the first FCS team to win four straight road games to advance through the playoffs to this championship game

NIU’s first Mountain West slate is set, so here’s a quick look at every 2026 opponent — from first matchups to long‑distance trips and a few familiar faces. A new league means new storylines for the Huskies.