What better person to fill the vacant spot for NIU’s running backs coach than a former NIU standout running back?

That was the mentality of head coach Joe Novak, who named former Huskies tailback Thomas Hammock running backs coach Thursday.

Hammock was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2000, when he ranked No. 6 nationally in scoring (10.7 ppg) and No. 12 in rushing (128.2 ypg).

The 23-year-old worked under Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez for the past two seasons as a graduate assistant.

At last month’s coaches convention in Louisville, Kent., Hammock spoke to Novak, who informed him of the coaching opening.

Hammock then went through the interviewing process, was named coach and began his new job Monday.

Hammock’s football career was cut short in 2002 when he became short of breath after rushing for 172 yards in NIU’s 42-41 upset over Wake Forest.

Hammock was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). He stopped playing after the first game against Wake Forest and later decided to hang up his jersey for good.

State of the conference

Though a priority, the MAC has not set a deadline for itself in bringing another team into the conference, NIU president John Peters said.

Peters, who is also the MAC Council of Presidents chairman, addressed the situation at a meeting Monday at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis.

“We anticipate final adoption of the Membership Standards Plan by our June 2005 meeting,” said Peters in a press release. “Regarding expansion, while not desiring to self-impose a time deadline, the matter is certainly a high priority for the conference, and we expect discussions to move forward efficiently.

“We will be researching institutions that have been identified as potentially compatible in the MAC and will undertake the necessary due diligence and deliberation that membership decisions warrant.”

Drew on the move

Former NIU cornerback Randee Drew was assigned to NFL Europe by the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

Drew, who finished his career as a Huskie in 2002, went undrafted but was later signed by the 49ers along with teammate P.J. Fleck.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Drew finished his senior season with 49 tackles and a team-high six interceptions.