Tony Petersen joined NIU in March 2026 and brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, including spending the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Illinois State. Petersen helped guide the Redbirds to back-to-back FCS playoff campaigns, including an FCS Championship appearance in 2025.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tony to NIU. Tony aligns with who we are as a program," said interim head coach Rob Harley. "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."
In 2025, Illinois State averaged 30.8 points per game to rank 34th in the FCS and recorded 390.3 yards per game, ranking 37th. The Redbirds run to the FCS Championship included four consecutive road wins, down No. 16 Southeast Louisiana, No. 1 North Dakota State, No. 8 UC Davis and No. 12 Villanova.
Illinois State fell just short in the title game to No. 2 Montana State, losing 35-34 in overtime. Under Petersen, quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 3,568 passing yards with 40 touchdowns on 64.7 completion percentage against 12 interceptions. Rittenhouse was Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention, leading the FCS in passing touchdowns and placing fourth in passing yards.
Wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz recorded 1,141 receiving yards and hauled in an FCS leading 10 touchdowns, earning All-America and First-Team MVFC honors. Running back Victor Dawson finished ninth in the country in rushing yards with 1,377.
The Redbirds averaged 30 points per game in two of the last three seasons, including ranking tenth in the country in total offense in 2023 with 434.4 yards per game and 12th in points per game with 32.8.
Petersen served as Illinois’ offensive coordinator in 2021, helping the Illini record two top 25 victories. Running back Chase Brown rushed for 1,005 yards and earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors. In 2020, Petersen was Appalachian State’s offensive coordinator, recording a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory and ranked 26th in the country with 452 yards per game.
The California native had multiple stops with Division I programs during the 2010s, including Missouri (2019), East Carolina (2016-18), Louisiana Tech (2013-15) and Marshall (2010-12). Petersen was the associate head coach at South Dakota in 2009 and coached at Iowa State (2007-08) and Minnesota (1999-2006) before that.
Petersen was on staff at Marshall from 1991-98 leading several position groups and helped the Thundering Herd win NCAA Division I-AA titles in 1992 and 1996, finish as a runner-up in 1991, 1993 and 1995 and win four conference titles.
As a player at Marshall, Petersen set 16 Southern Conference passing records and was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 after throwing for 4,902 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Also a member of the baseball team, Petersen was inducted into the Marshall Hall of Fame in 1994.
