Sports movies often have head coaches give motivational speeches before an inspiring victory, but that didn't happen in Northern Illinois football's locker room before its upset of Notre Dame. Rather, Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock missed the mark on his monologue.

Hammock explained the ordeal on Monday, via The Dan Patrick Show.

“You know, the night before the game I talked to them and said listen, Rocket Ismail is not running down that tunnel, and by the look on their face I realized they had no idea who I was talking about,” Hammock said. “So then I had to take it a step further I said Joe Montana, Ricky Watters, Jerome Bettis. So they understood those guys, but I guess what I wanted them to understand was we were playing the 2024 Notre Dame team. We’re not playing the nostalgia of Notre Dame, and they stayed in the moment from that standpoint and I was happy to see it.”

Ismail is a Fighting Irish legend who played for them from 1988-90, becoming a two-time All-American and Sporting News Player of the Year in '90. While the 54-year-old may have been a big deal back in his day, the generational divide was apparent when Hammock invoked his name.

Thomas Hammock put Northern Illinois football on the map

Northern Illinois offensive lineman Abiathar Curry jumps in the air in celebration after winning a NCAA college football game 16-14 against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend.
© Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK
Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) jumps into the arms of head coach Kenny Dillingham after the the Sun Devils upset the (16) Utah Utes 27-19 at Mountain America Stadium.
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham makes ‘blue blood’ claim after 2024 successLorenzo J Reyna ·
Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin gives a thumbs up while walking off the field after the game of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Ole Miss defeated Duke 52-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin loses 2-way athlete armed with 22 offersLorenzo J Reyna ·
It's time that HBCU athletics leaders take inspiration from the NBA and look to innovate with their media rights.
HBCUs must innovate with sports media rights; use the NBA as inspirationRandall Barnes ·
Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins runs by Notre Dame defenders during the second half
Michigan football, Notre Dame finalists for 4-star DLScotty White ·
A Michigan Wolverines marching band color guard flag member carries the Michigan flag across the field before the Wolverines played against the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium.
Michigan football battling 3 CFP contenders for 4-star EDGEScotty White ·
Florida A&M is under scrutiny for low pass rates in its law and nursing programs. The university has plans to enhance student outcomes.
Florida A&M lands JUCO QB after losing Kent State starRandall Barnes ·

Hammock has dedicated his life to the Huskies. The 43-year-old played running back for them from 1999-02, gaining 2,432 rushing yards in 32 games and was named a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2000 and 2001. However, he unfortunately had to retire after the first start of his senior season due to a heart-related condition. Fittingly, though, his 172 yards helped Northern Illinois upset Wake Forest 42-21.

Hammock returned to lead his alma mater in 2019 after several coaching stints in both the NCAA and NFL. Since then, the 2021 MAC coach of the year has gone 26-33 with two bowl game appearances, including a win in 2023's Camellia Bowl.

The Huskies' 16-14 victory catapulted the program to 25th in the AP Poll. The result dropped Notre Dame from fifth to 18th, and it was Northern Illinois' first victory over a top-10 squad. It's also the first-ever MAC team to beat a top-five opponent.

Hammock went viral for his emotional reaction to the win on Saturday, via NBC Sports.

“I'm so proud of our kids, the coaches, just everybody. They believed, and we came here and got it done,” Hammock said with tears in his eyes.