DEKALB, Ill. (AP) Northern Illinois has hired former star running back Thomas Hammock as its head coach.

Hammock is taking over at his alma mater after spending 16 seasons as a college and NFL assistant - the past five as the Baltimore Ravens' running backs coach. With the hiring announced Friday, he becomes the first African-American head football coach at NIU.

Hammock fills a vacancy that opened last week when Rod Carey left for Temple after leading the Huskies to a 52-30 record and six bowl games in seven seasons.