Northern Illinois Program History

Huskies · Mountain West · FBS seasons since 1985

All-time: 247-249-1.498
Seasons: 421985–2026
AP top 25: 1final polls
AP top 10: 0final polls
Best rating: -2.676th in 2017

Season by season

Year	Coach	Conference	Record	Conf	Pct	AP	Rating	Adj Off	Adj Def
2026so far	Rob Harley	Mountain West	0-7	0-3	.000		-22.4137	15.9134	38.3137
2025	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	3-9	2-6	.250		-13.4117	16.8128	30.295
2024	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	8-5	4-4	.615		-3.080	21.6108	24.653
2023	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	7-6	5-3	.538		-7.7100	21.0112	28.782
2022	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	3-9	2-6	.250		-11.8114	23.491	35.2121
2021	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	9-5	7-2	.643		-8.2101	26.974	35.1114
2020	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	0-6	0-6	.000		-13.8114	22.4109	36.3112
2019	Thomas Hammock	Mid-American	5-7	4-4	.417		-10.0108	21.2113	31.289
2018	Rod Carey	Mid-American	8-6	7-2	.571		-4.085	21.9108	25.947
2017	Rod Carey	Mid-American	8-5	6-2	.615		-2.676	24.790	27.360
2016	Rod Carey	Mid-American	5-7	5-3	.417		-5.185	27.276	32.287
2015	Rod Carey	Mid-American	8-6		.571		—	—	—
2014	Rod Carey	Mid-American	11-3		.786		—	—	—
2013	Rod Carey	Mid-American	12-2		.857		—	—	—
2012	Dave Doeren / Rod Carey	Mid-American	12-2		.857	22	—	—	—
2011	Dave Doeren	Mid-American	11-3		.786		—	—	—
2010	Jerry Kill	Mid-American	10-3		.769		—	—	—
2009	Jerry Kill	Mid-American	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2008	Jerry Kill	Mid-American	6-7		.462		—	—	—
2007	Joe Novak	Mid-American	2-10		.167		—	—	—
2006	Joe Novak	Mid-American	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2005	Joe Novak	Mid-American	7-5		.583		—	—	—
2004	Joe Novak	Mid-American	9-3		.750		—	—	—
2003	Joe Novak	Mid-American	10-2		.833		—	—	—
2002	Joe Novak	Mid-American	8-4		.667		—	—	—
2001	Joe Novak	Mid-American	6-5		.545		—	—	—
2000	Joe Novak	Mid-American	6-5		.545		—	—	—
1999	Joe Novak	Mid-American	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1998	Joe Novak	Mid-American	2-9		.182		—	—	—
1997	Joe Novak	Mid-American	0-11		.000		—	—	—
1996	Joe Novak	FBS Independents	1-10		.091		—	—	—
1995	Charlie Sadler	Big West	3-8		.273		—	—	—
1994	Charlie Sadler	Big West	4-7		.364		—	—	—
1993	Charlie Sadler	Big West	4-7		.364		—	—	—
1992	Charlie Sadler	FBS Independents	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1991	Charlie Sadler	FBS Independents	2-9		.182		—	—	—
1990	Jerry Pettibone	FBS Independents	6-5		.545		—	—	—
1989	Jerry Pettibone	FBS Independents	9-2		.818		—	—	—
1988	Jerry Pettibone	FBS Independents	7-4		.636		—	—	—
1987	Jerry Pettibone	FBS Independents	5-5-1		.500		—	—	—
1986	Jerry Pettibone	FBS Independents	2-9		.182		—	—	—
1985	Jerry Pettibone	Mid-American	4-7		.364		—	—	—

Ratings and conference records start with the 2016 season. How the ratings work.

Head coaches

Coach	Years	Seasons	Record	Pct
Rob Harley	2026	1	0-7	.000
Thomas Hammock	2019–2025	7	35-47	.427
Rod Carey	2012–2018	7	52-30	.634
Dave Doeren	2011–2012	2	23-4	.852
Jerry Kill	2008–2010	3	23-16	.590
Joe Novak	1996–2007	12	63-76	.453
Charlie Sadler	1991–1995	5	18-37	.327
Jerry Pettibone	1985–1990	6	33-32-1	.508