Just when it looked like the NIU football team was going to lose only one valuable person associated with its offensive line, someone else left.

Offensive line coach Lawrence Cooley has accepted the offensive coordinator job at Ball State. He also will coach the Cardinals’ offensive linemen.

Todd Peat, who was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press, is the only graduating player from the Huskies’ line which Cooley molded the past three seasons.

“He did a great job and we’re going to miss him,” said NIU Coach Jerry Pettibone. “But when you have a lot of players coming back, it makes the transition easier.”

“His background is very good,” said Ball State coach Paul Schudel, specifically mentioning Cooley’s playing and coaching days at Nebraska. “He also has a reputation for having a good rapport with his players.”

Peat agreed.

“To me, he was a personal friend,” said Peat. “I don’t think there was anyone on the team who couldn’t go to him to talk. You can’t find a better coach.”

Cooley has already hit the road for the Cardinals. He is out recruiting this week.

Pettibone said he is in no hurry to find a replacement although he said he has talked with some candidates and received recommendations from other head coaches. Pettibone and his staff are busy with the national letter of intent signing date coming up Feb. 10.

Pettibone said many possibilities exist for the organization of his staff.

“There is always a good possibility that Pat (Ruel) could go back to coaching the line,” Pettibone said.

uel began his full-time coaching career as an offensive line coach at Miami (Fla.) in 1973. He also coached linemen at Arkansas under Lou Holtz in 1976 and 1977. Ruel has coached quarterbacks as part of his offensive coordinator duties at NIU the past two years.