NIU football: South Dakota State's Eric Eidsness "close" to becoming Huskies next offensive coordinator

A source familiar with the situation confirmed that South Dakota State offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness is “close” to becoming the next offensive coordinator of the Northern Illinois University football team.

Eidsness will replace outgoing Mike Uremovich, who was officially announced as Temple University’s offensive coordinator Tuesday. Uremovich made a $175,000 base salary in 2018.

NIU officials would not confirm or deny the hiring.

Eidsness served as the associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Football Championship Subdivision Jackrabbits. The team went 10-3 and lost Dec. 14 in the semifinals to North Dakota State. Eidsness has been on the SDSU staff since the 2011 season.

In the 2018 season, South Dakota State under Eidsness was 10th in the FCS in total offense at 480.5 yards a game.

The Jackrabbits threw for 250.5 yards a game and ran for 230 yards a game, totalling 2,991 rushing yards on 6.42 yards a carry.

SDSU quarterback Taryn Christion was fifth in the FCS at 15.3 yards a completion and third in passing touchdowns with 32. The Jackrabbits’ Cade Johnson tied for the FCS lead with 17 receiving touchdowns. SDSU’s 42.5 points a game was the fifth-best mark in the FCS.

Before arriving back in Brookings at SDSU, Eidsness was the head coach of Division II Southwest Minnesota State, where he had a 26-40 record from 2004 to ’09.