Release:

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University will make a change in its men’s basketball head coaching position and will separate from head coach Mark Montgomery effective immediately, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier announced Sunday.

"We thank Coach Montgomery for his commitment to NIU and his efforts to advance NIU men’s basketball over the last 10 seasons," Frazier said. “We wish him the best in the future."

Frazier said NIU will conduct a national search for a new head men's basketball coach

“We will be meticulous and efficient in finding the best person and coach to lead the Huskie men’s basketball program going forward," he said.

Associate Head Coach Lamar Chapman will lead the team on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2021 season.

————-

Montgomery is a good guy. He raised the floor for that program for sure. Problem is, for them this is a move that probably could have happened three or four years ago. Given NIU’s proximity to Chicago, the Huskies could always be a problem, they just don’t recruit it well. Very interested to see what direction NIU goes. Would think coaches like EMU’s Murphy and CMU’s Davis are next. Murphy is in the last year of his contract and CMU keeps underachieving.

Their chance at a MAC title was less than 1% before the firing. But to your point, it was greater than 0%.