Northern Illinois Hires Former Northern Michigan Coach

Matt Majkrzak takes over Huskies men's basketball program after successful stint at Division II level

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:22pm

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Northern Illinois University has hired Matt Majkrzak as its new men's basketball head coach. Majkrzak comes to NIU after a successful seven-year tenure at Division II Northern Michigan University, where he compiled a 136-73 record and led the Wildcats to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Why it matters

Majkrzak's hiring represents a new era for the NIU men's basketball program as they transition to the Horizon League. His track record of recruiting and developing talent at the Division II level suggests he could help elevate the Huskies and make them more competitive in their new conference.

The details

Majkrzak, a native of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, was a two-time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Coach of the Year, earning the honor in 2024 and 2026. This past season, he guided Northern Michigan to a 28-7 record and a top-10 national ranking in Division II. Prior to his time at Northern Michigan, Majkrzak was the head coach at junior college Bryant & Stratton College-Wisconsin and a top assistant at Division II Bemidji State.

  • Majkrzak spent seven seasons as the head coach at Northern Michigan from 2019 to 2026.
  • He was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2026.

The players

Matt Majkrzak

The new head men's basketball coach at Northern Illinois University, who previously spent seven successful seasons as the head coach at Division II Northern Michigan University.

Sean T. Frazier

The athletic director at Northern Illinois University, who praised Majkrzak's record of success and his ability to recruit and develop student-athletes.

Rashon Burno

The former head men's basketball coach at Northern Illinois University, who resigned after going 48-106 over five seasons with the Huskies.

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What they’re saying

“He brings a tremendous record of success from his previous head coaching stops and is a true rising star in the profession.”

— Sean T. Frazier, Athletic Director, Northern Illinois University

What’s next

Majkrzak will look to quickly build a competitive roster and prepare the Huskies for their first season in the Horizon League.

The takeaway

Majkrzak's hiring represents an opportunity for Northern Illinois to revitalize its men's basketball program and become more competitive at the Division I level. His success at the Division II level suggests he has the coaching chops to turn the Huskies into a Horizon League contender.