Former NIU offensive coordinator Matt Canada is the latest to leave head coach Joe Novak’s staff to a high major program.

Canada returns to his alma mater to take over as quarterbacks coach at Indiana. He is the fourth NIU assistant to leave to a high major program.

NIU defensive coordinator and secondary coach Scott Shafer left to become the secondary coach at Illinois. Shafer spent eight years at NIU, the last four as defensive coordinator.

He joins former NIU offensive coordinator Dan Roushar and linebackers coach Mike Mallory on the Illinois staff. Mike Mallory, the son of former NIU head coach Bill Mallory (1980-’83), was promoted as Illinois’ defensive coordinator on Dec. 31.

Filling the void left at defensive coordinator for the Huskies will be Denny Doornbos. Doornbos coached the linebackers at NIU last season and spent 1990-’99 as defensive coordinator at Army.

The void left in the secondary by Shafer’s departure will be filled by Steve Bernstein. Bernstein was the secondary coach at Arizona for the last three years and will take over the recruiting duties in Chicago.

“I’ve known Steve for about 15 years,” Novak said. “I think the world of him. He’s been around and has great experience. Everyone tells me that he’s a great recruiter.”

Tight ends coach Bill Bleil left Novak’s staff to become the tight ends and tackles coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Bleil spent one year at NIU and has coached 22 seasons at the college level.

“It is an exciting time to be associated with University of Pittsburgh athletics,” Bleil told PittsburghPanthers.com. “The strides the administration, coach [Walt] Harris and his staff have made to bring this program back to national prominence are widely known in the coaching ranks.”

Wide receivers coach George McDonald left to become the tight ends coach at Stanford. McDonald coached the receivers at NIU for the last three years.

Turner in Indy

Former NIU running back Michael Turner was one of about 335 college prospects who worked out in Indianapolis for the 2004 NFL Combine from Feb. 18 to 24.

NIU’s all-time leading rusher, Turner was a two-time All-American selection and semifinalist for the Doak Walker National Runningback Award.

“There’s a lot of concern, a lot of questions about [Turner],” Novak said. “Everyone has a question. They see some things they like; they see some things they’re concerned about.”

The 6-foot, 232-pound Turner rushed for 3,563 yards in his final two seasons for the Huskies.

His 4,941 career rushing yards mark the 13th best total in Division-I history.

Turner is the first NIU player invited to the NFL Combine since offensive tackle Ryan Diem and wide receiver Justin McCareins in 2001.

Both players were drafted in the fourth round and picked by the Indianapolis Colts (Diem) and Tennessee Titans (McCareins).

The other MAC players at the combine included Ben Roethlisberger and offensive guard Jacob Bell of Miami-Ohio. Wide receivers Darius Watts and Josh Davis of Marshall, Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin and Bowling Green quarterback Josh Harris were also at the combine.

The draft is scheduled for April 24 to 25 in New York City.