Sources: Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock has accepted a job to become the next runnin...
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About the Creator
Pete Thamel is a prominent ESPN college football reporter known for breaking major coaching and recruiting news with unparalleled speed and accuracy. His style is straightforward and source-driven, often using 'sources told ESPN' to deliver insider scoops. Thamel's credibility is high among sports journalists, frequently cited by outlets like CBS Sports and NBC Sports for verification.
What's This About?
The Twitter post announces that Thomas Hammock, head coach of Northern Illinois Huskies for seven years, has accepted the role of running backs coach and senior offensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks.[1][4] This move ends his tenure at his alma mater amid NIU's transition to the Mountain West Conference for 2026, despite a recent 3-9 season, following achievements like a 2021 MAC title, bowl wins in 2023-2024, and a historic upset over top-5 Notre Dame in 2024.[1][2][3] Hammock, who previously coached running backs for the Baltimore Ravens alongside Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, chose Seattle over other NFL offers and is set to become the league's highest-paid RB coach after interviewing for their OC position.[1][4]
🔥Why It's Trending
This news broke via Thamel's post amid the NFL offseason hiring frenzy in early 2026, spotlighting a rare FBS head coach jumping to the NFL just before NIU's conference switch.[2][5] It gains traction due to Hammock's Ravens-Seahawks reunion with Mike Macdonald and his reputation for developing run games, amplified by Seattle's Super Bowl LX win and staff rebuild.[3][5] Fans and analysts are buzzing over the timing's impact on college football transitions and NIU's sudden coaching vacancy.[1][7]
💡Fun Facts
- 1Hammock led NIU to their first-ever win over a top-5 team by upsetting No. 5 Notre Dame in 2024, Notre Dame's only regular-season loss.[1][4]
- 2He reunited with Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, having coached together on the Baltimore Ravens staff from 2014-2018.[1][3]
- 3Despite a 2025 contract extension through 2029, Hammock leaves NIU with a 35-47 record, including a 2021 MAC championship.[1][6]
- 4Hammock is expected to be the NFL's highest-paid running backs coach amid multiple league offers.[1][4]
- 5NIU scheduled an 8 a.m. team meeting to break the news of his departure to players.[1]
📚Read More
Sources: Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock has accepted a job offer to become the next running backs coach/senior offensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, sources told ESPN.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/thomas-hammock-northern-illinois-coach-seahawks-nfl/
Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock will join the Seahawks' staff
Thomas Hammock is leaving his post as the head coach at Northern Illinois to join the Seahawks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hammock
https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/onsi/seahawks-news/seahawks-thomas-hammock
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