Success has its consequences.

This is even more true for a college football team like NIU.

While the Huskies were cruising along toward their successful season, other top-level programs took notice.

It’s like big brother with these major conferences: They’re always watching.

They’re watching to see what a coaching staff like NIU gets out of the players they have.

Apparently, several schools were sold on what they were seeing from a few Dave Doeren’s assistants on his staff.

Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reported now former NIU offensive coordinator Matt Canada jumped the Big Ten’s ship to join the Wisconsin Badgers.

Monday, Eddie Faulkner traded in his Huskie gear to join the Pittsburgh Panthers. His role with the Panthers has yet to be decided.

And, to add another layer of tension and hostility to what many consider to be NIU’s top rival, Toledo swiped Tom Matukewicz to be its defensive coordinator.

You know, the guy who would lock arms the NIU players as they’d run out on to the field? Yeah, he’ll be now scheming ways to stop the Huskies’ offense instead of getting them all jacked up.

This is life in the MAC; it’s a stepping stone to other opportunities.

Not to reopen any wounds, but NIU was just down this path on a much larger level at the end of last season when Jerry Kill bolted for Minnesota.

Sure, many questioned the way he did it, but the fact was that Kill had a more attractive opportunity with better resources. And I’m sure what he was making at NIU versus what the Golden Gophers were offering might have gone into his decision.

It’s nothing personal. In fact, it should be expected for coaches to bolt from a place like NIU.

The Huskies went out and executed their primary season goal; win the MAC Championship.

Now, Doeren will have to light up his phone lines and do some other recruiting other than the sales pitches he’s likely telling to high school recruits right now.