136-73 record with the Wildcats in seven seasons
MARQUETTE, Mich. – After seven seasons leading the Northern Michigan men’s basketball program, head coach Matt Majkrzak has accepted the head coaching position at Division I Northern Illinois University.
“I want to thank Matt and wish him all the best as he moves on to Northern Illinois,” said NMU Director of Athletics Rick Comley. “His team has enjoyed a great run of success and he leaves a solid program with a bright future.
Majkrzak leaves Marquette after helping transform the Wildcats into one of the top programs in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and the Midwest. During his tenure, Northern compiled a 136-73 record and captured four GLIAC championships, including conference regular-season titles in 2023-24 and 2025-26 and tournament championships in 2022-23 and 2024-25.
“I’ll forever be a Northern Michigan Wildcat,” Majkrzak said. “Marquette and NMU have given me the best moments of my life. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve done here and want to thank all the players, coaches, and administration for all the support.”
This past season, Majkrzak guided the Wildcats to a 28-7 record and the program’s fourth conference championship of his tenure, earning GLIAC Coach of the Year honors for the second time in three seasons. He became the first repeat GLIAC Coach of the Year in program history and just the third Wildcat head coach to earn the honor, joining Dean Ellis (1993).
Under his leadership, Northern climbed as high as No. 10 in the NABC National Poll this season, its highest national ranking since Jan. 11, 1993, secured the No. 1 seed in the GLIAC Tournament, and appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season.
His teams consistently produced memorable moments on and off the court. In 2024-25, Northern hosted an exhibition game against Michigan State in the Superior Dome in front of more than 11,000 fans, welcoming NMU alumnus Tom Izzo back to Marquette in a historic event for the program and the Upper Peninsula.
Majkrzak also played a key role in developing some of the most decorated players in program history, including Dylan Kuehl. During the 2025-26 season, Kuehl was named the D2CCA Midwest Region Player of the Year, GLIAC Player of the Year, and GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year. Kuehl finished the season averaging 21.3 points per game while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and ranks second in program history with more than 2,197 career points.
“The winning and championships were outstanding, but what I’ll always remember are the people,” Majkrzak said. “We had great players who were and are proud Wildcats. The great crowds and the way our community and university embraced basketball were so special.
“I truly believe NMU is one of the best institutions from top to bottom in the country. I feel so grateful to spend seven years here. Northern Michigan under Rick’s leadership will be in great hands, and I can’t wait to be a Wildcat fan as they continue to win championships. I can promise we won’t be strangers. Go Cats!”
Northern Michigan Athletics thanks Majkrzak for his leadership and dedication to the men’s basketball program and wishes him and his family continued success in the next chapter of his coaching career.
