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Huskies' Coach Joe Novak Retires After 12 Seasons

"Number one let me say, I am not quitting or resigning," said Novak as he addressed the gathered media in attendance. "I am retired. I wasn't going to give anyone a chance to fire me," joked the twelve-year head coach whose contract expires in July and is stepping down after a 2-10 campaign, the first losing season in eight years at Northern Illinois.

Stating that he knew coaching was something that he wanted to do from an early age when he was "jotting plays down in a notebook" while still in school, Novak expressed gratitude to have been able to work in a profession of his choosing that he has enjoyed.

"It's been 40 great years," said Novak regarding his time as a football coach from high school through the past tweleve years as the head coach at NIU. But Novak also noted the rigors of being a head coach. "It's an all-consumg, 365 days a year job. You are never really away from the job and now I am going to use this opportunity to spend more time with my family."

Recalling some of the highlights during his tenure at the DeKalb, IL based school, which started in 1996 in rather inauspicious fashion, losing 23 straight games while compiling a 3-30 record in his first three seasons, Novak recalled telling his wife in 1998, "we better get some boxes packed and be ready to move on. But they (NIU) kept me here for some reason. Let me tell you though starting with 23 straight losses is a tough way to start and I don't recommend it to anybody."

The departing coach recalled the feeling of breaking the long losing streak as one of the many high points of his career. "We had more people on the field after the game than we had in the stands during the game because nobody came out to the games then. After that game, the students came pouring out of the dorms to celebrate. What a great feeling that was."

Stating that among his hopes for the program were four goals that he set early on when he took over. "I wanted to get the program to the point of playing in front of a sold-out stadium; play a nationally ranked team; play on national television and get a win." All of those goals came together one night in 2003 when the Huskies defeated 13th-ranked Maryland at home in front of a sold out crowd on national TV. "I remember before the game that I was told that tickets were being scalped on eBay and I thought, 'What? The game's a sellout?'"

That same 2003 season would see the Huskies travel into Alabama and defeat the Crimson Tide and later Iowa State. "I remember arriving there (in Alabama) and counting twelve national championship banners. I was afraid our players were too loose but our guys went out and won it."

Novak also led the Huskies to victory in the 2004 Silicon Valley Classic over Troy and the following year guided Northern Illinois to a MAC West title and an appearance in the MAC Championship game, losing in the final moments to Akron. "We came within thirty seconds of getting the job done but just missed," Novak noted. Last season the Huskies made their second bowl appearance under Novak, losing to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Novak was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2002 after guiding the Huskies to an 8-4 record and a share of the MAC West title.

Athletic Director Jim Phillips stated that a search has begun for Novak's replacement. Novak himself indicated that he does not plan to be actively involved in the search unless he is asked for his assistance but believes the decision belongs in the hands of the NIU atheltic administration.

During his time as head coach, Novak has guided the careers of budding NFL stars such as New York Jets wide receiver Justin McCareins, San Diegeo Chargers running back Michael Turrner and Chicago Bears running back Garrett Wolfe to name just a handful of future NFL stars that began their collegiate tutelage under Novak.

"Being a college coach is like being a surrogate parent," noted Novak in discussing his relationship with his players. "I will miss that relationship."

Novak indicated that he advised his team and assistants the night before about his decision. "The hardest part was telling my assistants that I was leaving. They have families too and this makes it difficult for them. Any coach though will tell you that you are only as good as your assistant coaches and we have had some great ones here," he added.

Novak departs NIU with the most wins of any Huskies head football coach and his 62 career wins places him in a tie for eighth place among all MAC coaches and his 47 conference wins is ninth all-time among all MAC coaches.