Quick Read
- Thomas Hammock resigned as NIU head football coach on February 18, 2026.
- He will join the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks as their running backs coach.
- Hammock led NIU for seven seasons, achieving a 35-47 record.
- His tenure included a 2021 MAC title and a historic upset win over No. 5 Notre Dame in 2024.
- NIU is set to join the Mountain West Conference for the 2026 football season.
DEKALB (Azat TV) – Thomas Hammock, the head football coach for Northern Illinois University (NIU), has announced his resignation to accept a position with the NFL’s Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. The move, confirmed Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks a significant departure for the alumnus coach, who is expected to become the highest-paid running backs coach in the league, at a pivotal moment as NIU prepares to transition into the Mountain West Conference.
Hammock’s decision to leave his alma mater comes after seven seasons leading the Huskies, during which he compiled an overall record of 35-47. His tenure was highlighted by a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title in 2021 and a historic upset victory over then-No. 5 Notre Dame in South Bend on September 7, 2024—the first time a MAC team had defeated a top-five opponent. This success, particularly the Notre Dame win, was a key factor in NIU’s recent invitation to join the Mountain West Conference in football for the upcoming 2026 season.
Thomas Hammock’s New NFL Chapter
Thomas Hammock will join the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff, returning to the NFL where he previously served as the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2014 to 2018. Reports indicate he also interviewed for Seattle’s offensive coordinator opening, signaling the high regard for his coaching abilities within professional football circles. His new role as running backs coach for the reigning Super Bowl champions is a substantial career advancement.
The Seattle Seahawks were seeking a new running backs coach after Kennedy Polamalu took a leave of absence in December and was not scheduled to return for the 2026 season. Hammock’s NFL experience and his track record of developing talent, including at NIU, likely made him a prime candidate for the position. His departure from NIU was described as a tough decision, given his deep ties to the university.
Hammock’s Legacy at Northern Illinois
Hammock’s connection to Northern Illinois University runs deep; he played running back for the Huskies in the late 1990s and early 2000s before returning as an assistant coach and eventually as head coach. In a written statement, Hammock expressed the profound significance of his time at NIU, stating, ‘Representing the Cardinal and Black of Northern Illinois University as a player, alumnus, assistant coach, and head coach has been the honor of my life.’
Despite a disappointing 3-9 finish in his final season in the MAC, Hammock’s leadership brought two bowl wins and a conference championship to DeKalb. NIU Director of Athletics Sean Frazier acknowledged Hammock’s lasting impact, stating, ‘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. His passion for NIU and commitment to developing young men – on and off the playing field – will be his legacy.’
Hammock was also known for his outspoken views on the evolving landscape of college athletics, including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. In August 2025, he passionately argued for the long-term value of a college education over short-term financial gains, stating, ‘I didn’t get one dime. But the lessons I learned were more valuable than any money you could ever pay me.’
NIU’s Future in the Mountain West
With Hammock’s departure, Northern Illinois University faces the challenge of finding a new head coach just as it embarks on a new era in the Mountain West Conference. Director of Athletics Sean Frazier has promoted defensive coordinator Rob Harley to interim head coach to ensure continuity during the transition. The Huskies’ move from the MAC to the Mountain West for football only is a strategic realignment that will see them facing new opponents and longer travel distances, with their shortest road trip to Air Force in Colorado Springs.
The timing of Hammock’s exit means he will not lead the program into this new conference, a prospect he had previously celebrated. On January 7, 2025, when NIU officially joined the Mountain West, Hammock remarked that it was an even better day than the Notre Dame upset. His departure triggers a 15-day transfer portal window for NIU players, commencing five days after the new head coach is hired, potentially leading to further roster changes.
Thomas Hammock’s move underscores the increasing pull of the NFL for successful college coaches, even those with deep emotional and institutional ties to their collegiate programs, reflecting the dynamic career pathways in modern football.