Jordan Lynch Returns to NIU as Coach

DE KALB, IL - At age 26, Jordan Lynch has already been a neighborhood hero in Mount Greenwood, a Mount Carmel High School football legend, Heisman trophy finalist, Chicago Bear and CFL Grey Cup champion.

Now, he gets to add “coach” to his already impressive football resume.

Lynch will return to Northern Illinois University, his alma mater, this year to be the Huskies’ running backs coach. The school announced the hire earlier this month.

"Obviously, with Jordan, the name speaks for itself,” NIU Head Coach Rod Carey said. "Heisman Trophy finalist, got us to the Orange Bowl, got us to the cusp of a Fiesta Bowl, and set all sorts of records. He's probably one of the most beloved players that have come through here in recent history. When you are talking about the greats of Huskie Football, our tradition, you can't do that without saying the name Jordan Lynch."

Lynch, who played quarterback, said that his plan had always been to get into coaching once he was done playing football. He officially retired from the sport on March 8.

"I always knew when I got done playing football, I wanted to get into coaching," Lynch said. "I just love being around the players and being back at NIU. When [Coach Carey] started talking to me about the possibility of a position opening up here, I took some time and thought about it. I felt it was a great opportunity for me and I couldn't pass it up. Some of my best memories of playing football have been here at Northern. To come back and help get the program get back to where it was appealed to me."

Jordan Lynch Scores Game-Winning Touchdown in CFL Grey Cup

Jordan Lynch Named Heisman Trophy Finalist

Lynch grew up in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood and attended St. Christina School before breaking out as a football star for Mount Carmel.

Fans throughout Chicagoland remember him best for his time at NIU, which included leading the Huskies to a 12-0 regular season in 2013 and finishing third as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He rushed for an NCAA QB-record 1,920 yards and 23 touchdowns, while throwing for 2,892 yards and 24 touchdowns on 253-of-404 passing in 2013.

He was on the Chicago Bears’ roster during the 2014 NFL season before playing for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos for two seasons. In 2015, he scored the game-winning touchdown as the Eskimos won the Grey Cup.