Sheldon Herd sees himself moving up. Up as in up north. Up as in up from Division I-AA to I-A. Up as in up to the front, as in defensive front.

Herd, a linebacker coach for the past seven years at Division I-AA Eastern Illinois, was named Ted Huber’s replacement as the Huskies’ defensive line coach Thursday, pending approval by the Board of Regents.

“I really am enthused about the direction Northern Illinois is headed in football,” said Herd, who was already in the NIU football office Thursday. “That was one of the best things about the job. It’s a Divison I-A school, and a move up.”

Why bring a linebacker coach in to tutor the defensive line?

“The two positions aren’t that much different,” EIU head coach Bob Spoo said. “As a linebacker, you have to be aware of what the defensive front is doing. As a coach, you learn all the time. I’m sure he’s well acquainted with the line and will be able to make the transition well.”

Herd has coached the defensive line before and had to adjust then because he played on the offensive line at Lincoln University in Missouri.

“When I went to Eastern in 1982, it was understood I would be helping with the defensive line,” the 28-year-old said. “Being on the offensive line, I was used to seeing defensive fronts. I just needed help on the techniques.”

NIU head coach Jerry Pettibone started the search for a defensive line coach when Huber announced he was resigning to coach and teach at Warsaw High School in Indiana.

“He (Herd) was highly recommended by some coaches we called and some who called us on his behalf,” Pettibone said, citing Spoo and Northern Iowa’s Darrell Mudra.

Pettibone then went about contacting Herd three weeks ago and had Herd visit early last week.

Spoo said, “Coach Pettibone called, which is protocol in this profession, to ask permission to talk to coach Sheldon. I encourage my assistants to look into all offers, and obviously he liked what they said.

“The only problem I have with it is the timing. We’re into spring practice and now we’ll miss his services. But we’ll adjust.”