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Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock is leaving the Huskies to join the Seattle Seahawks as an assistant, sources validated to CBS Sports. Hammock becomes the just in FBS head coach coach to depart his role in the ever-changing landscape of college football for a job in the NFL. 

The move comes at an awkward time for the program as Northern Illinois is in the midst of a move from the MAC to the Mountain West, where its set to begin its first season as a member. 

Hammock has served as Huskies head coach since 2019. While Northern Illinois is coming off a 3-9 finish in 2025, Hammock has led the team to winning records three of the last five years.

His top win at NIU was an upset of No. 5 ranked Notre Dame in September 2024. Hammock also guided the Huskies to a MAC championship in 2021.

Before Northern Illinois, Hammock spent five seasons in the NFL as a running backs coach with the Baltimore Ravens.

CBS Sports will have more on this story shortly.