--Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren inherited the NIU head coaching position after Jerry Kill left for Minnesota. Doeren had a whirlwind time assembling a staff and eventually signing 22 players. The Huskies filled their staff by the end of January, with the most notably being former NIU offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who was previously on Indiana's staff. Canada was part of former NIU coach Joe Novak's staff from 1998-2003. Canada spent seven years at Indiana, including the last four years as offensive coordinator. He will take over the same duties at Northern Illinois.

--NIU quarterback DeMarcus Grady started the 2010 opener at Iowa State and appeared in four games. Grady joined NIU's basketball team immediately after the bowl game victory, and started to become a contributor in early February.

SPRING SNAPSHOT

Practice begins: March 22

Practice priorities: The Huskies return several key players from last year's 11-3 season. The loss of defensive end Jake Coffman and tailback Chad Spann are the biggest holes to fill. Juco running back Jamal Womble is one of the signees expected to battle for Spann's carries. New coach Dave Doeren spent the first six weeks on the job assembling a staff and recruiting, signing 22 players. Doeren will spend the spring practice stressing his philosophies and systems to the returning players. The Huskies return a wealth of talented players and can contend for another West Division title. Quarterback Chandler Harnish, who has started in three bowl games, returns for his final season.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're here to win games. We're here to play and do everything we can as competitors to make it the best football team we can. When you're in the position we are as far as BCS, non-BCS, those are the teams you want to emulate right now. So, there's no doubt this program wants people to talk about us on Saturday's as the next giant killer. We want to be in those situations." -- NIU coach Dave Doeren on building on last year's 11-3 record.

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