Armato will apply for head coaching position

Former Northern Illinois women's and men's basketball assistant coach Carl Armato will officially apply for the open head coach position for the NIU women's basketball team, Armato confirmed this afternoon.

"I have a passion to coach," Armato said. "It's in my heart and blood. I have a passion to see the university succeed. I think they have strong leadership with President [John] Peters and [Director of Athletics] Jeff Compher. I got to know him a little bit. I think our paths crossed for about 3-4 months when I was leaving.

"I just think the timing might be right. It certainly would be something that would be a dream come true to be a head coach at Northern Illinois University."

Armato is currently the District 205 athletic director in his hometown of Rockford, a position he took in 2008. But Armato was an assistant coach under Carol Owens, who resigned a week ago for personal reasons, for the 2007-08 season. Prior to that, he was an assistant with the NIU men from 2001-07. He was the head coach at Rock Valley Junior College from 1988-2001, leading the Golden Eagles to a 219-135 record.

We'll have more on this late tonight on HuskieWire and in Friday's Daily Chronicle.