Seahawks hire NIU head coach Thomas Hammock to coach RBs

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th February, 10:27 2026

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

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