Updated: NIU football defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles, five others joining Temple staff

Jeff Knowles is on the way out as Northern llinois' defensive coordinator to take the same position at Temple University.

Knowles changed the banner on his Twitter Sunday to read "Temple Football #Temple Tuff." His Twitter bio now reads "Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers Temple University," where Knowles would be joining Rod Carey's staff.

NIU's Brad Ohrt, who has been Director of Sports Performance at the school for eight years, also responded to a tweet congratulating him for his arrival at Temple by saying "Thank You! Fired up to be here!" His Twitter header was changed to the same one seen on Knowles' profile.

Monday, offensive line coach Joe Tripodi, cornerbacks coach Melvin Rice Jr. and quarterbacks coach Craig Harmon all made changes to their Twitters Monday to reflect moves to Temple. Tripodi, who had just who completed his ninth season with the Huskies, was the longest-tenured coach on staff.

Harmon, who was on staff from 2004-2005 as a graduate assistant and 2014 to present, had been the Quarterbacks coach since 2016. He worked with the tight ends in 2014 and 2015.

Rice Jr., a Chicago native who played at Morgan Park, is an NIU graduate and has coached corners in DeKalb since 2016.

Tuesday, Walter Stewart, who had just finished his first season as defensive line coach, also made the jump over to Temple.

The 2018 season, while Knowles continued his duties coaching the Huskie linebackers, was his first as defensive coordinator. Knowles previously was a defensive quality control coach at North Carolina State, working under previous NIU head coach Dave Doeren. From 2007-2013, Knowles was a coach at his Alma mater, the University of Saint Francis in Joliet.

In his first season as defensive coordinator this past fall, the Huskies were second in the FBS in sacks with 50, trailing only national champion Clemson. The Huskies were ranked 11th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (109.2), 10th in team tackles for loss per game (7.9) NIU had six all-Mid-American Conference selections on its defense