DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University football head coach Thomas Hammock announced the hiring of Nic McKissic-Luke to the Huskie coaching staff on Thursday.
 
"I'm certainly excited about Nic and his expertise at the running back position, as well as his special teams background," Hammock said. "I've had an opportunity to be in some of his meetings with the guys now that everything's on Zoom.
 
"His attention to detail and his thorough knowledge of our offense and the things that are asked of the running back position, I've been very pleased with. I think he's doing an exceptional job and I think our running backs will benefit from that."
 
McKissic-Luke comes to NIU as the Huskies' running backs and fullbacks coach after spending the last four seasons at Youngstown State, the first three as running backs coach before adding special teams coordinator to his duties in 2019.
 
"I would like to thank Sean T. Frazier and coach Hammock for the opportunity to be a part of this coaching staff and the NIU football family," McKissic-Luke said. "NIU football has a great tradition of success on and off the field and I'm excited to be a part of it. This is a dream come true."
 
Tutoring five players to seven All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades at two different schools, McKissic-Luke brings a wealth of experience to the NIU coaching staff. Penguin running backs enjoyed tremendous success during his tenure at Youngstown State.
 
In 2016, YSU tailbacks Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb earned All-MVFC first team and honorable mention accolades, respectively, and played a key role in Youngstown State's run to the National Championship Game. The duo each rushed for 1,000 yards with Webb leading the way amassing 1,342 yards, while Ruiz tallied 1,153. Additionally, Webb set the school record for all-purpose yards in a season and was named a third team AP All-American.
 
Tailback Tevin McMaster earned first team All-MVFC honors in 2017 and 2018. Under McKissic-Luke's guidance, McMaster rushed for a career-high 1,235 yards and scored 12 touchdowns and finished his career with 2,970 yards rushing at 36 TDs.
 
Last season, punt returner Jake Coates garnered second team all-conference honors after setting school records for punt return yards in a game and a season in 2019. Senior tailback Joe Alessi had his best career rushing, gaining 803 yards on 136 carries and five touchdowns.
 
McKissic-Luke is the third Huskie coach on Hammock's staff to have coached at South Dakota State. He spent three successful seasons at South Dakota State helping the Jackrabbits to the FCS Playoffs each year working alongside Eric Eidsness and Dan Jackson.
 
"I think that continuity helps on our staff," Hammock said. "It gives us a good foundation of guys that can hit the ground running. No. 1, he knows the offense and the things that can be improved upon from last season."
 
During his first two seasons in Brookings, McKissic-Luke worked with Zach Zenner a consensus All-American and two-time first team All-MVFC selection.
 
A 12-year coaching veteran, McKissic-Luke began his career at Benedict College. He spent five seasons as running backs and slot receivers coach. During his tenure, the Tigers led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 squad ranked seventh in Division II averaging 250 yards per game.
 
In addition to his collegiate coaching career, McKissic-Luke spent two summers (2011 & 2012) with the Arizona Cardinals through the Bill Walsh-Minority Coaching Internship.
 
A graduate of Alabama A&M, McKissic-Luke finished second in career rushing yards with more than 2,000 yards in three seasons (2004-06) for the Bulldogs. During his senior year, he helped Alabama A&M to the 2006 Southwestern Athletic Conference crown.
 
In addition to the announcement of McKissic-Luke, Hammock also announced the position responsibilities for his entire staff for 2020. Dan Jackson, who joined the Huskies in March, will take over as cornerbacks coach and co-special teams coordinator, while Aaron Wilkins will coach tight ends and also serve as co-special teams coordinator. Tony Sorrentino, who coached the Huskie tight ends and fullbacks last season, shifts to the wide receiver room.
 
Eric Eidsness (off. coord/quarterbacks), Derrick Jackson (assoc. Head coach/def. coord./safeties), Robert Wimberly (exec. asst. coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers), Daryl Agpalsa (offensive line), Jordan Gigli (defensive line/recruiting coord.) and Travis Moore (defensive ends) coaching responsibilities remain unchanged from last season.
 
The Huskies open the 2020 campaign Saturday, Sept. 5 when NIU welcomes Rhode Island to Huskie Stadium for the season opener. Season tickets are on sale now for as little as $55 each with the Huskie Family Pack ($220 for four tickets in sections A and G) or just $60 for East Side general admission season tickets. Order your tickets online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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