DEKALB, Ill. – In today's edition of Frazier's Corner, Northern Illinois University Vice President/Director of Athletics and Recreation
Sean T. Frazier sits down with the Voice of the Huskies Andy Garcia and they are joined by interim head football coach
Rob Harley to talk about the latest happenings surrounding Huskie football.
NIU has also added Tony Petersen to the Huskie football staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Petersen brings more than 30 years of coaching experience and has spent the last four years as the offensive coordinator at Illinois State. Petersen's offense averaged over 30 points per game last season as the Redbirds won 12 games and reached the FCS Championship Game.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tony to NIU," said Harley. "Tony aligns with who we are as a program. His experience, leadership and track record of building productive offenses make him an outstanding addition to our program. Tony understands how to develop quarterbacks, establish a physical run game and create explosive plays – all while building strong relationships with his players."
During his four seasons in Normal, Illinois State was known for its explosive offenses, ISU was ranked 10th in the country in total offense at the FCS level in 2023 and 17th in passing offense in 2024.
Prior to joining Illinois State in 2022, Petersen spent one season as offensive coordinator at Illinois, which came following a 2020 season at Appalachian State where, as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he helped the Mountaineers to a 9-3 overall record with an offense that averaged 452 yards in total offense (26th nationally), including 264.9 rushing yards (7th nationally), on the season.
Petersen was also the offensive coordinator at Marshall (2010-12), Louisiana Tech (2013-15) and East Carolina (2016-18), prior to spending the 2019 campaign as an offensive analyst at Missouri.
A record-setting quarterback at Marshall, Petersen was named the 1988 Southern Conference Athlete of the Year and the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 after leading the Thundering Herd to the Division I-AA national championship game with a school-record 35 touchdown passes. He served two stints as an assistant coach at his alma mater, from 1991-99 and again from 2010-12. During that first time period, the Thundering Herd won Division I-AA national championships in 1992 and 1996 before moving into the Mid-American Conference, winning the league title in 1997 and 1998.
Petersen also spent time as an assistant coach at Minnesota (1999-2006), Iowa State (2007-08) and South Dakota (2009).
NIU football season ticket renewals are available now and new season tickets will be available in early spring. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.
