NIU, Mountain West Conference

It’s official, NIU football is saying “Good-bye” to the MAC and racing toward the Mountain West Conference
All of the changes we’re seeing in college football from conference realignments to the transfer portal and NIL has forced Northern Illinois University to make a move to keep up or to stay a step ahead.
Mountain West Conference and NIU Football Announce Huskies' Membership For 2026
The Northern Illinois Huskies' football program is officially joining the Mountain West Conference for the 2026 season. NIU's board of trustees approved the MWC
NIU football officially joins the Mountain West Conference
The university officially announced it would join the Mountain West Conference in a football-only capacity starting in 2026. The move puts the Mountain West Conference at nine teams: NIU, Air Force, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
'Location, location, location': Behind the inspirations for NIU football move to the Mountain West
NIU football's move to the Mountain West Conference was inspired by another major college football realignment move, and it might mean more change is coming for Northern Illinois athletics.
Will moving to the Mountain West help NIU?
Here's one personal memory of covering Northern Illinois University football. The school introduced new head coach Joe Novak during winter break in 1995, so the campus was deserted. But inside the
NIU football leaving MAC for Mountain West Conference
Northern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees approved a football-only move from the Mid-American Conference, or MAC, to the Mountain West Conference. Peter Medlin
Northern Illinois will join Mountain West as football-only member in 2026
The Mountain West has been rebuilding since Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State agreed to join the Pac-12.
Top MAC football program to join Mountain West
Mountains are exactly what comes to mind when you think of Illinois, but one of the state’s football programs has officially made the move to the Mountain West Conference. The league announced the addition of MAC powerhouse Northern Illinois as a football-only member on Tuesday. The Huskies will join the conference on July 1, 2026.
It's offical, NIU football is saying good-bye to the MAC and heading for the Mountain West Conference
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NIU football leaving MAC for Mountain West Conference, pending board approval
Northern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees will vote on whether NIU's football team will leave the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Peter Medlin
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Christian Gray reflects on Notre Dame being ‘humbled’ by NIU after advancing to National Championship
College football fans got to witness an absolute classic in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ...
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What’s ahead for NIU football in 2025?
Something NIU football coach Thomas Hammock said after his team’s 28-20 win over Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato ...
Back-to-back bowl wins and a win over CFP semifinalist Notre Dame puts NIU in spotlight
If Notre Dame wins National Championship, NIU could reap residual benefits. Here is why and what it could do for NIU: ...
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Entz Raids NIU Staff Again. It's for a Linebackers Coach This Time
Fresno State football bolsters coaching staff with the addition of Adam Breske as linebackers coach from Northern Illinois.