Former Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak, who ‘changed the trajectory of Huskie football,’ dies at 81

Former Northern Illinois football coach Joe Novak, who led the Huskies to seven winning seasons in 12 years — launching a run of success that saw the program make 15 bowl games in 21 seasons — has died at age 81, according to multiple social media posts from fellow coaches.

Novak was a member of the NIU and Mid-American Conference halls of fame, led the Huskies to four MAC West titles and was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2002.

He took over a program in 1996 that was coming off five straight losing seasons, and the Huskies went 3-30 over his first three seasons.

After gradual improvement, NIU tied for division titles in 2001 and 2002, then grabbed national attention in 2003 by defeating No. 15 Maryland, No. 21 Alabama on the road and Iowa State, climbing as high as No. 10 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings and finishing 10-2.

The Huskies weren’t invited to a bowl that season because the MAC had only two tie-ins that went to its two division winners, but they made bowl games in 2004 — their first in 21 years — and 2006. Novak finished with a 63-76 record from 1996-2007 and coached 10 players who were named All-Americans.

Novak graduated from Miami (Ohio), where he played defensive end. He was an assistant at Miami and Illinois before becoming the NIU defensive coordinator for four seasons (1980-83). He then spent 12 seasons as Indiana’s defensive coordinator before returning to DeKalb as head coach.

He retired in 2007 at 62, saying: “I had always heard that you’ll know when it’s time. And I know, it’s time.”

Tributes poured in from coaches Tuesday night and Wednesday morning as the news spread of Novak’s death.

Former NIU coach Thomas Hammock, who starred at running back for Novak’s 1999-2002 Huskies teams, posted on social media that he was blessed to have worked with Novak as a player and a coach.

“He shaped the man and coach I am today,” Hammock said. “His standards never changed, and his impact reached far beyond football. Forever grateful for everything you taught me. Your legacy will never be forgotten. #TheHardWay.”

NIU interim coach Rob Harley said Novak didn’t just build a winning football program but “built men of character, set a new standard of excellence and forever changed the trajectory of Huskie football.”

NIU athletic director Sean T. Frazier said Novak “represents all that is good with college football.”

Auburn coach Alex Golesh, who was a graduate assistant at NIU early in his career, said he was heartbroken to learn of Novak’s passing.

“I was incredibly fortunate to coach alongside him and learn from one of the very best,” Golesh said. “His leadership, integrity, toughness and genuine care for his players and staff left a lasting impact on everyone around him. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to work with him.”