EVANSTON, Ill. — James J. Phillips was hired as Northwestern athletic director on today.

Phillips, the AD at Northern Illinois, will take over on April 14. He replaces Mark Murphy, who left earlier this year to become president of the Green Bay Packers.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Northwestern but will always remain extremely grateful to the wonderful people at Northern Illinois University," Phillips said in a statement. "A significant part of my heart as well as my family's heart will forever remain at NIU."

Northern Illinois is still recovering after a gunman opened fire in a classroom on the DeKalb campus earlier this month, killing five before committing suicide.