Thomas Hammock's move from Northern Illinois to the Seattle Seahawks is a plot twist that has caught many by surprise. Known for orchestrating one of the most memorable upsets against Notre Dame in recent years, Hammock is stepping into a new role as an administrative assistant and running backs coach for the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Hammock etched his name into Notre Dame lore when his Northern Illinois team handed Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish their only regular-season loss in 2024. The Huskies' unexpected triumph in South Bend came right after Notre Dame's emotional season-opening victory over Texas A&M.
While some speculated that the loss might spell trouble for Freeman's tenure, he instead led the Irish on an impressive winning streak, cementing his reputation as a rising star in the coaching world.
Hammock's journey post-upset has been a rollercoaster. Following their victory over Notre Dame, Northern Illinois stumbled, dropping their next two games to Buffalo and North Carolina State, and ending the season at 8-5. The following year proved even more challenging, with the Huskies finishing 3-9, managing just two wins against FBS opponents.
Despite the initial shock of the upset, Notre Dame rebounded to make the playoffs, and Freeman even sought advice from Hammock on how to improve after the defeat. While Hammock might not be seen as a villain in South Bend, his departure from the head coaching scene likely won't cause much distress among Fighting Irish fans.