One of two assistant coaches retained by new head coach Jerry Kill during the coaching transition is Huskies defensive line mentor and CHicagoland native Jeff Phelps.

After tutoring the Northern Illinois defensive tackles in his first two seasons, Phelps will work with the entire defensive line this year.

In 2006, Phelps' charges helped the NIU defense rank 44th in the country and second in the Mid-American Conference against the run, allowing just 121.9 yards per game.

Phelps has climbed the coaching ranks during his eight-year career. After initially serving one season as a graduate assistant at Ball State, his alma mater, in 1999, he moved on to Division III DePauw University in Indiana, where he coached the running backs for two seasons before moving over to work with the linebackers in 2002. During his time at DePauw, the Tigers claimed a share of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference crown in 2000 with a 6-4 overall record.

In 2003, he moved from DePauw to Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan where he spent three campaigns as the defensive line coach. From there, he got the call from Head Coach Joe Novak to join the Huskie team.

Phelps was familiar with NIU from his playing days as a four-year letterman and two-time All-MAC selection at Ball State. Phelps started the final 33 games of his career at outside linebacker and produced 277 tackles in 44 overall appearances while playing for head coaches Paul Schudel (1994) and Bill Lynch (1995-97). As a junior, he earned honorable mention all-league honors with 91 stops, 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback sacks and five pass break ups. He also caused three fumbles and recovered four, two of which he ran back for touchdowns. Ball State won the MAC title that season, posted an 8-4 overall record and played in the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl.

Following his senior season, Phelps was a second team All-MAC honoree after serving as a team captain. He was credited with 108 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, including a career-high 13 stops versus eventual MAC champ Marshall. He made 10 or more tackles in seven games.

Phelps went to Ball State from Crete-Monee High where he was a three-sport and seven-time letterman in football (2), wrestling (2) and track and field (3). On the gridiron, Phelps earned first team All-SICA South accolades as a senior in 1993 after rushing for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns and notching 50 tackles.

The 30-year-old Phelps earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Ball State in 1998. He married the former Tyla Turner of East Chicago, Ind., in 2007.

ABOUT PHELPS
Coaching Experience
2006-present, Northern Illinois, DT
2003-05, Hillsdale, DL
2000-02, DePauw, LB; RB
1999, Ball State, GA

Playing Experience
Ball State, 1994-97

Postseason Experience
As a Coach
2006 Poinsettia Bowl
As a Player
1996 Las Vegas Bowl

Education
College: Ball State (1998)
High School: Crete-Monee (Ill.) HS (1994)

Personal
Birthdate: Nov. 30, 1976
Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.
Hometown: University Park, Ill.
Family: Wife, the former Tyla Turner.