The leader of Northern Illinois' new offensive staff is Roy Wittke, who brings 27 years of collegiate coaching experience to the NIU sidelines, including 17 years as a Division I offensive coordinator. In addition to his coordinator duties, Wittke will tutor the Huskie quarterbacks.
Wittke comes to NIU after one season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona State. The Sun Devils ranked 27th in the country in rushing offense a year ago and were the No. 42 total offense in the country. ASU advanced to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl as junior tailback Ryan Torain ranked third in the Pac-10 in rushing while averaging 94.5 yards per game.
Prior to going to Tempe, Wittke was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas from 2003-05 where he coached Razorback quarterback Matt Jones to All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2005. Arkansas finished the season ranked 12th nationally in rushing as Jones set the SEC record for career rushing yards by a quarterback and was a first round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2004, the Razorbacks ranked 36th in the country in total offense, 22nd in rushing and were the No. 33 scoring offense in the country.
In 13 seasons as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and running backs coach at Eastern Illinois, Wittke helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships (2001 and 2002) and three consecutive Division I-AA playoff appearances. The Racine, Wisc. native was named the Division I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association in 2002 after guiding current Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo to first team All-America honors and the 2002 Walter Payton Award, given to Division I-AA's Most Valuable Player. EIU ranked fourth in the natÂion in scoring offense (35.3 ppg) and was fifth in total offense (452.6 yards/game) in 2002 as Romo completed a career that saw him win the OVC Player of the Year Award three times. Five other quarterbacks earned all-conference honors under Wittke at EIU, who also served as recruiting coordinator during his time in Charleston.
Overall, the Panthers compiled a record of 82-65-1 during Wittke's tenure at the school, including a 25-10 mark in the last three campaigns.
Wittke spent five seasons at Central Missouri State from 1985-89, beginning his time there as the quarterbacks coach and taking over as the Mules' offensive coordinator one year later. In 1986, Central set a school record with 23 touchdown passes.
He coached running backs at Montana State from 1982-84 after embarking on his coaching career while still in college at his alma mater, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, from 1979-81. As an undergraduate, he worked with the tight ends and wide receivers.
A graduate of William Horlick High School in Racine, Wittke earned his bachelor's degree in business education from Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1982. He and his wife, the former Patty Stengel, have three children: sons Brad (19) and Jeff (17) and daughter Bekah (15).
ABOUT WITTKE
Coaching Experience
2007-present, Northern Illinois, OC/QB
2006, Arizona State, OC/QB
2003-05, Arkansas, OC/QB
1990-02, Eastern Illinois, AHC; OC/QB; RB
1985-89, Central Missouri St., QB; OC/WR
1982-84, Montana State, RB
1979-81, Wisconsin Eau-Claire, TE/WR
Playing Experience
Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1978
Augustana College, 1977
Postseason Experience
As a Coach
2006 Hawai'i Bowl
2003 Independence Bowl
2002 FCS Playoffs
2001 FCS Playoffs
2000 FCS Playoffs
1996 FCS Playoffs
1995 FCS Playoffs
Education
College: Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1982)
High School: William Horlick (Wisc.) HS (1978)
Personal
Birthdate: June 15, 1959
Birthplace: Racine, Wisc.Â
Hometown: Racine, Wisc.Â
Family: Wife, the former Patty Stengel; Sons Brad (19) and Jeff (17); Daughter Bekah (15).
