Northern Illinois promotes Rod Carey to head coach

The Northern Illinois Huskies have promoted offensive coordinator Rod Carey to head football coach, according to the Associated Press. Carey is replacing Dave Coeren, who was hired away by North Carolina State on Saturday, just before the team accepted an invitation to the Orange Bowl.

It's Carey's second promotion in the span of a season, as he moved up from line coach to offensive coordinator after just one game this season, after Mike Dunbar left the team for health reasons. This will be his first head coaching stint, and he'll make his debut against ACC champion Florida State.

In a statement, athletic director Jeff Compher said that Rod has stepped up to make a difference at every opportunity. It's clear that the school was looking for continuity, after going 12-1 this season and 23-4 under Doeren. He was hired away to replace Tom O'Brien at North Carolina State.

Carey inherits a team that boasts a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Jordan Lynch.