An 18-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks with more than 27 years of experience as an offensive line player and coach, Harold Etheridge joined the Huskie coaching staff in January and will lead the Northern Illinois offensive line in 2007.
Etheridge came to DeKalb after three seasons at the University of North Texas, where his 2004 offensive line paved the way for national rushing leader Jamario Thomas to average 180.1 yards per game. The Mean Green led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 23rd in the country in rushing offense that season (196.3 yards per game) en route to the 2004 league title. A year later, a UNT back rushed for 1,000 or more yards for a school-record fifth straight season while the offensive line ranked among the league leaders in fewest sacks allowed for the second straight year. North Texas linemen earned five All-Conference honors in his three seasons at the school.
Prior to going to North Texas, Etheridge was the offensive line coach at Army for four seasons (2000-03), where his line led Conference USA in fewest sacks allowed in both 2001 and 2002, and paved the way for the league[apos]s leading rusher in 2000. One of his pupils at Army, Aaron Burger, was selected to play in the 1998 Hula Bowl.
He has coached four All-Americans, 10 all-conference performers and two players currently on NFL rosters during his coaching career.
Etheridge also brings local knowledge to the NIU program as he served as offensive line coach at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. from 1991-99. In his final season at ISU, the Redbirds advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) National Semifinals and won the Gateway Conference title. Illinois State was also a playoff participant in 1998.
The Gallup, N.M. native made his first Division I coaching stop at the University of Kentucky from 1989-91 where he served as a graduate assistant coach and worked with the offensive tackles.
He spent seven seasons in the prep coaching ranks at Gallup (N.M.) High School (1983-86) and Louisville[apos]s Ballard (Ky.) HS (1987-89). At Gallup, his teams made four playoff appearances and were district champs every year.
Etheridge was a four-year starter at offensive guard for Western New Mexico from 1979-82, garnering all-conference recognition following his junior and senior seasons. After completing his collegiate playing career, Etheridge participated in free agent tryouts with the Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.
Following graduation, Etheridge spent two seasons as the offensive line coach at Western New Mexico in 1982 and 1983. He earned a bachelor[apos]s degree in marketing and management from the school in 1982.
He has published numerous articles on coaching the offensive line and wrote the book [quote]Coaching the Front Liners,[quote] published in 2001. Etheridge and his wife, the former Jeanne Bouvier, are the parents of twins Clayton and Eliza (10).
ABOUT ETHERIDGE
Coaching Experience
2007-present, Northern Illinois, OL
2004-06, North Texas, OL
2000-03, Army, OL
1991-99, Illinois State, OL
1989-90, Kentucky, GA
1987-88, Ballard (Ky.) HS, OL/DL
1983-86, Gallup (N.M.) HS, OL
1982, Western New Mexico, OL
Playing Experience
Western New Mexico, 1978-81
Postseason Experience
As a Coach
2004 New Orleans Bowl
1999 FCS Playoffs Semifinals
1998 FCS Playoffs
Education
College: Western New Mexico (1982)
High School: Gallup (N.M.) HS (1977)
Personal
Birthdate: Sept. 12, 1959
Birthplace: Gallup, N.M.
Hometown: Gallup, N.M.
Family: Wife, the former Jeanne Bouvier; Twins Clayton and Eliza (10).
