Joe Novak

Joe Novak, 81, died on July 28, 2026. Joe Novak was known publicly as an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Northern Illinois University from 1996 to 2007, compiling a record of 63–76. Novak played college football as a defensive end at Miami University under head coach Bo Schembechler. After beginning his coaching career in the high school ranks, Novak had stints as an assistant coach at Miami, the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Indiana University. At Illinois, he served under head coach Gary Moeller, who had been one of the assistants at Miami under Schembechler. Novak was a longtime assistant of Bill Mallory, another Miami assistant coach and alum. Public biographical listings identify Novak as an American football player and coach. This public record remains centered on Novak's work as an American football player and coach and the documented milestones of that career.