Northern Illinois University Athletics

Illinois native Jeff Knowles, who spent the last three years on the football staff at N.C. State, joined the Northern Illinois University football staff as linebackers' coach in February 2017 and added duties as NIU's defensive coordinator in 2018.

In Knowles' first year on the defensive staff in 2017, the Huskies enjoyed one of the top defensive seasons in recent history as NIU led the Mid-American Conference in total defense and scoring defense and broke the school record for most punts forced by its opponents. NIU led the Football Bowl Subdivision in tackles for loss and ranked second nationally in quarterback sacks. Linebackers ranked first and second on the Huskies' tackle chart with two players earning All-MAC recognition.   

In three seasons working on former NIU head coach Dave Doeren’s staff at N.C. State, Knowles was in charge of defensive quality control. In that role, he broke down the opponents’ offense and personnel, prepared scouting reports and assisted with preparation of the defensive playbook. N.C. State played in three bowl games and won two during his time there. The Wolfpack defense was ranked in the Top 30 in the country in total defense in each of the past two seasons. 

Prior to his time in Raleigh, Knowles spent six seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, USF in Joliet, from 2008-13. He coached the defensive line (2008-09) and linebackers (2010-13), served as recruiting coordinator in his final three seasons there and as defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013.  He saw USF advance from achieving its first winning season in 2008 to winning the Mid-States Football Association title to claim the first conference championship in school history in 2011.  In 2012, he was nominated for the MSFA Assistant Coach of the Year honor as the Saints ranked 13th in the NAIA in total defense and led the league in takeaways, pass defense and third-down conversions.  
  
“I’m excited about the opportunity to come and work with Coach Carey and the culture that’s been built at NIU over the years,” Knowles said when he was hired.  “I’m looking forward to getting back to recruiting in Illinois and renewing the relationships I’ve been able to form with the high school coaches in this area over the years.  It’s good to be back home.”

A native of Manhattan, Illinois, Knowles played collegiately at Saint Francis from 1996-2000, serving as team captain his final two seasons.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from USF and completed his master’s degree in education from the university in 2010.  

As a prep player, he was a first team all-state linebacker on the Providence Catholic High School team that won the state championship with an undefeated season in 1994. 
 
Knowles and his wife, Sarah, have two sons, Gannon and Emmett. 


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