Coffman ends career
Northern Illinois junior defensive end Jake Coffman has informed the NIU coaching staff that he will not return for his senior season.
Coffman, the Marine Corps veteran who returned to college football as a 22-year old freshman in 2006 and developed into Northern Illinois University's top defender in 2009, will close out his football career when he is honored as the 2009 Male Athlete of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus at the organization's annual awards banquet on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Columbus, Ohio
Following the Huskies' appearance in the 2010 International Bowl, Coffman informed Northern Illinois coaches that the 2009 season was his last. The German Valley, Ill. native and Forreston High School product led NIU in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss in his redshirt junior season while playing both defensive end and defensive tackle. Coffman's Huskie teammates selected him as the 2009 Defensive MVP and he was a second team All Mid-American Conference choice
"It's tremendously flattering to be chosen for this honor," Coffman said. "I really didn't believe it when I got the news. It's an honor to end my career going to this event in Columbus to receive this award. I can't really take the credit for it. I just made the plays that the other guys helped me make, and did what I was coached to do. I was surrounded by great players and great coaches, and it was a recipe for success. It's a tremendous honor for me and the program."
Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill said he could not imagine a more deserving candidate for the award than Coffman.
"It's a tremendous, tremendous honor for Jake and a very prestigious award," Kill said. "It could not happen to a more deserving young man and it's rewarding to see someone who is such a great individual receive an award like this after the season he has had and the contributions he has made to our program. Those contributions pale in comparison to what he has given and done for our country. He is a great representative of his family, the Huskie football program and Northern Illinois University."
Coffman completed two tours in the Middle East during his time in the Marines, and rose to the rank of corporal before walking on to the Huskie team in 2006 at the age of 22. Redshirted in 2006 while acclimating to college life and college football, Coffman played four games for the Huskies in 2007 before injuring his foot and undergoing surgery, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season. He returned to action in 2008 under then-new head coach Kill and excelled in 11 games, rising to a second team spot at defensive end behind NFL first round draft choice Larry English. Coffman ranked second among the NIU defensive ends in tackles with 22 and co-led the team in fumble recoveries as Northern Illinois led the MAC in total defense and was selected to play in the Independence Bowl.
Despite having one more season of eligibility, the now 26-year old Coffman, who will graduate from Northern Illinois this spring with a degree in sociology, decided to make the 2009 season his last.
"I'm proud of the team and what we accomplished this year," Coffman said. "I'm proud of my teammates. I had a great time playing with the guys, seeing them grow up and perform the way they did this year. I put a lot of thought into the decision [to retire] and told my family and the coaches. This award really caps it off."
Kill said he has been privileged to coach an individual like Coffman.
"We have had a great relationship," Kill said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to be around Jake and to coach him. He came in to talk to me [about his decision] and it was emotional. I respect him immensely, he has been through a lot and I know that he will be successful in whatever he does in the future."
