NIU football: Hammock rounds out his coaching staff

DeKALB — The Tuesday additions of Travis Moore and Aaron Wilkins completed NIU head coach Thomas Hammock's staff on the defensive side of the ball.

Moore, a Huskie walk-on in 2000, was twice was an all-Mid-American Conference selection as a defensive end for the Huskies, having played for NIU from 2000-2004. He will coach the defensive ends.

Moore, a native of Robbins, had coached at his alma mater, Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Illinois the last 12 seasons. Wilkins coached a variety of positions with Wimberly at Liberty University, most recently defensive backs last season. He will coach NIU's cornerbacks.

"Coach (Hammock) has been in constant contact with me. He visited my school very frequently on the recruiting trail," Moore said. "We just maintained not just a personal relationship, but a professional relationship over the duration of the past 16 years. I was always told, 'stay ready.' God willing, when I got the opportunity I was ready and sure enough here I am living out my dream.”

Both Moore and Hammock played under Joe Novak and value the types of relationships that Hammock has made the top priority in compiling his coaching staff.

“I think coach Hammock is the staple that is going to solidify what relationships mean at Northern Illinois," Moore told the Daily Chronicle. "...Our relationship and how it lasted the past 16 years and transition to the point I’m in position to live out my dream coaching and his dream, working alongside him to do it the hard way.”

Hammock and Moore's time overlapped in DeKalb from 2000-2002. His time working with athletes in what Moore described as a "poor neighborhood," of Blue Island has been a rewarding experience to reflect upon.

"I’m just a kid from Robbins living out my dream .... just to be an example for other young men, young boys, the youth football players that you should never give up hopes on your dreams," Moore said. You too can transition toyou want to be as long as you stay ready and keep building on positive relationships.”

Moore, who compiled 146 tackles and 126 tackles for loss, earned his all-MAC selections in 2002 and 2004.

“I came on as a walk-on and worked hard to put myself into position to be an all-MAC player. So it has never been easy, but I’ve always been told easy problems, stay away from.”

NIU named Derrick Jackson its defensive coordinator, as well as associate head coach and safeties coach Monday.

Bringing championship experience to the program will be Atif Austin, is expected to step in as running backs coach after winning a Super Bowl on the New England Patriots' staff in 2018 and coaching at North Dakota State University during the 2014-2017 seasons.

Houston Jones will take over as wide receivers coach after most recently serving as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Division II Concordia University in St. Paul Minnesota during the 2016-2018 seasons.

NIU announced the hires of defensive line coach Jordan Gigli and linebackers coach Robert Wimberly on Jan. 24.