Thomas Hammock, the head football coach for Northern Illinois, is set to leave the university to take on a new role as the running backs coach and senior offensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, according to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Hammock has reportedly been offered a lucrative contract, making him the highest-paid running backs coach in the NFL, and chose Seattle over several other NFL opportunities.
Having just completed his seventh season at Northern Illinois, Hammock’s record stands at 35–47. His tenure is highlighted by an impressive upset victory over the then-No. 5 ranked Notre Dame in September 2024, a game that significant for the Fighting Irish, who went on to compete for a national championship later that year.
This transition to the NFL is not Hammock’s first experience in professional football. From 2014 to 2018, he served as the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh before returning to his alma mater. His move to Seattle comes after he interviewed for the offensive coordinator position, which was vacated by Klint Kubiak, who has since taken the head coaching role for the Raiders.
Although Hammock was not offered the offensive coordinator position, he opted to accept the running backs coach role with the Seahawks, drawn by a generous offer from Mike Macdonald, the head coach known to Hammock from their time in Baltimore. This new position offers Hammock an excellent opportunity to further his career in the NFL while also bringing his expertise in developing talents at a critical position within the team.
Hammock’s commitment to coaching and his willingness to seize significant opportunities underscore a promising future, both for him personally and for the Seattle Seahawks as they continue to bolster their coaching staff following a successful season.