The longest tenured coach on the offensive side of the ball for the Huskies, Greg Bower begins his eighth season at Northern Illinois this year. In addition to his duties coaching the Huskie tight ends, Bower handles several operational responsibilities for head coach Joe Novak, including serving as the liaison to the media relations office and directing the annual Huskie Football Camp.
As the tight ends coach, Bower saw his second straight pupil advance to the next level following the 2006 season as senior Jake Nordin will report to camp with the New England Patriots after signing a free agent contract. Nordin, a 2005 second team All-Mid-American Conference selection who missed most of his senior season due to injury, hopes to join former Huskie tight end Brad Cieslak on an NFL roster. Cieslak, a first-team all-league selection in 2004, has played the last two years with the Buffalo Bills.
Bower will work with the NIU tight ends for the fourth straight year in 2007 after spending the 2002 and 2003 seasons coaching the Huskies[apos] defensive tackles. He began his tenure at Northern as a defensive graduate assistant in 2000.
Prior to his arrival at NIU, the Orangeville, Ill., native spent seven seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, Loras College, a Division III school in Dubuque, Iowa. During his time at Loras (1993-99), the Duhawks posted five .500 or better seasons.
After beginning his career as a graduate assistant coaching the Loras linebackers, Bower spent his last four seasons at Loras as the defensive coordinator, working with the linebackers in 1996 and moving to the secondary from 1997-99.
His Duhawk defense produced seven All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) performers, including a pair of first team selections. In 1997, Loras ranked No. 28 in NCAA Division III in turnover margin at +1.10 per game.
Bower was a four-year letterwinner for the Duhawks from 1989-92, starting at middle linebacker his final two seasons. He made 147 career tackles and was part of the IIAC[apos]s No. 2 defense in both 1989 and 1990.
A two-sport standout at Orangeville (Ill.) High School, Bower won three letters in football and two in basketball. As a senior in 1988, he was a first team all-conference choice at both offensive guard and linebacker for the Orangeville team that advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals.
Bower earned his bachelor[apos]s degree in history from Loras in 1993 and added a master[apos]s degree in physical education in 2001. He and his wife, the former Liz Neumann of Crystal Lake, Ill., have three children, son Brett (6) and daughters Faith (4) and Grace (2).
ABOUT BOWER
Coaching Experience
2000-present, Northern Illinois, TE; DL; GA
1993-99, Loras, DC/DB; DC/LB; GA
Playing Experience
Loras, 1989-92
Postseason Experience
As a Coach
2006 Poinsettia Bowl
2005 MAC Championship Game
2004 Silicon Valley Bowl
Education
College: Loras, B.A. (1995); M.A. (2001)
High School: Orangeville (Ill.) HS (1989)
Personal
Birthdate: Nov. 23, 1970
Birthplace: Monroe, Wisc.
Hometown: Orangeville, Ill.
Family: Wife, the former Liz Neumann; Son Brett (6); Daughters Faith (4), Grace (2).
