Yesterday evening, at his weekly press conference, Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock was asked if he had thoughts on making the transfer portal “more fair.” His response has been making waves across social media.
By January earlier this year, the Huskies had already seen 19 players enter the portal, underscoring just how challenging roster management has become for smaller programs.
“You know, we lost all these guys. See who plays. So it’s all good when people put it on Twitter… How many of those guys going to play or travel or get snaps?” Hammock said. He recalled his own experience, going through college without a dime, and the lessons he learned that shaped his life far beyond football.
Hammock is especially concerned with what he sees as a shift in focus among players and families. “People are losing the fact that this is short-term. Get your degree. Learn valuable lessons that will help you in the long-term of your life… If you’re going to college to go get a couple of dollars, might as well go get a job,” he said.
Hammock’s perspective is grounded in a life shaped by football and resilience. A two-time All-American running back for NIU, he ran for over 1,000 yards in both his sophomore and junior seasons. His playing career was cut short due to a heart condition with a season of eligibility remaining.
He immediately turned to coaching, starting as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin before moving on to coach running backs at NIU and Minnesota, returning to the Badgers again, and even serving on John Harbaugh’s staff in the NFL.
Since taking over at his alma mater in 2021, Hammock has consistently defied expectations. Northern Illinois was picked to finish last in the MAC in his first season, yet the Huskies won the league with a 9-5 mark. Over the next three seasons, Hammock has led NIU to two bowl games and a pair of bowl wins, cementing a reputation for overachieving against the odds.
The Huskies have also felt the impact of the transfer portal firsthand. After an 8-5 season that included a stunning victory at Notre Dame, NIU lost top-tier talent, including its starting quarterback, two lead running backs, and multiple four-star receivers.
Even former defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto moved on. Hammock had to rebuild aggressively, bringing in 13 new players and hiring Quinn Sanders, former Charleston coach, to orchestrate an offense that can thrive even with limited returning production.
Despite the challenges, Hammock remains confident in his program. NIU has adapted by targeting transfers from FCS and Division II programs while also attracting players from Power 4 schools.
With consecutive bowl wins under his belt and a move to the Mountain West on the horizon, Hammock believes Northern Illinois can maintain consistency and exceed expectations in an era dominated by roster turnover.
“This is about teaching young men to grow, to be successful in life, and to be ready for what comes next. NIL and the portal aren’t the most important things. College should be,” Hammock said.
In a world where programs can hit a “create-a-team” button each offseason, Hammock’s message is clear: resilience, preparation, and life lessons matter most.
Related: Jon Gruden Sparks Rumors With SEC Coaching Comments
