The Northern Illinois University Huskies football team has won the MAC conference championship and is heading to the Orange Bowl. This is the first time that a MAC conference member has been selected for a major post-season bowl game.

The Chicago Tribune reports on the excitement of NIU students and alumni. NIU Today reports on the elated NIU fans on campus.

The excitement about the MAC championship was tempered, however, by the news announced the following day that David Doeren, the winning head coach who led the Huskies to the MAC championship, is already leaving, having accepted a job at North Carolina State University. Doeren will not coach in the Orange Bowl game, but by Rod Carey, the offensive coordinator, now promoted to head coach. The NIU football team has suffered from the revolving door at the head coach position over the past decade. NIU Today reports on the coaching change.

I am missing the reactions of students on campus, since I am on research in France this semester.