Joe Tripodi
	Position: Assistant Coach/Offensive Line Experience: 4th Season at NIU Alma Mater, Year: Northwestern, 2006

Joe Tripodi has been a member of the Northern Illinois football staff longer than any other coach as he enters his fourth season at NIU in 2013. After coaching the tight ends and fullbacks in 2012, Tripodi moves back to offensive line in 2013, the position he worked with in his first two years at NIU.

In addition to coaching the offensive line as a graduate assistant in 2010 and 2011, Tripodi served as the offensive line coach in the Huskies' 40-17 victory Fresno State in the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl.

As tight ends and fullbacks coach in 2012, Tripodi was in charge of one of the most diverse units on the field as his players served important roles in both the run and pass games. Senior Jason Schepler, an Academic All-American, led the Huskie team in pancake blocks with 60 on the season, while Luke Eakes was the top tight end receiving target. Over the last three seasons, Tripodi has contributed to the offensive staff that led the most successful offenses in Northern Illinois history.

Tripodi came to NIU from his hometown of Chelsea, Mich. where he served as defensive line coach for Chelsea High School in 2008 and 2009. Chelsea compiled a 17-6 record in Tripodi's two years, winning the 2008 district title and advancing to the district finals in 2009.

Tripodi was Northwestern's starting left guard in 2005 and 2006 and was a co-recipient of the 2006 Randy Walker Wildcat Award, given for work ethic, toughness and warrior attitude. He was part of the offensive line that played a key role in Northwestern's record-setting offensive season in 2005.

Tripodi earned all-state honors in both football and track and field at Chelsea High School and was one of six finalists for the Michigan High School Athlete of the Year honor as a senior. The three-time all-conference and two-time all-area selection in football also won back-to-back state titles in the shot put. His football team went 30-4 in his three years as a starter. He graduated from Northwestern in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in communications and is pursuing his graduate degree in adult and higher education at NIU.

Tripodi is married to the former Rachel Munoz and the two have an infant daughter, Emma.

The Tripodi Family