04-17-2004, 12:15 AM
Northern Illinois gives Novak contract extension
April 15, 2004
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) -- Northern Illinois gave football coach Joe Novak a three-year contract extension through 2007 on Thursday.
Novak, hired in 1995, has led Northern Illinois to four straight winning seasons for the first time since 1969. Last season's team finished 10-2 and was ranked in the Top 25 for most of the year after beating Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State.
Novak was the 2002 Mid-American Conference coach of the year.
ALSO:
Northern Illinois coach Novak signs three-year extension
April 15, 2004
DEKALB, ILLINOIS (TICKER) -- Northern Illinois football coach Joe Novak received an early birthday present.
Four days shy of his 59th birthday, Novak signed a three-year extension Thursday that keeps him under contract through the 2007 season.
The school did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
Hired on December 22, 1995, Novak has led the Huskies to four straight winning seasons, including a 10-2 mark last year, when they upset Maryland and Alabama and were ranked as high as 14th in the coaches' poll.
"This is very well deserved," Northern Illinois athletic director Cary Groth said. "Joe has truly done a great job with our football program. The program now has tremendous stability."
Novak has orchestrated one of the biggest turnarounds in NCAA history. Early in his tenure, the Huskies struggled through seasons of 1-10, 0-11 and 2-9, losing 23 straight games from 1996-98.
"I am very happy with the commitment the university has shown to me for the next three years," Novak said. "We will continue to work hard to make this football program one the university and our alumni can be proud of."
April 15, 2004
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) -- Northern Illinois gave football coach Joe Novak a three-year contract extension through 2007 on Thursday.
Novak, hired in 1995, has led Northern Illinois to four straight winning seasons for the first time since 1969. Last season's team finished 10-2 and was ranked in the Top 25 for most of the year after beating Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State.
Novak was the 2002 Mid-American Conference coach of the year.
ALSO:
Northern Illinois coach Novak signs three-year extension
April 15, 2004
DEKALB, ILLINOIS (TICKER) -- Northern Illinois football coach Joe Novak received an early birthday present.
Four days shy of his 59th birthday, Novak signed a three-year extension Thursday that keeps him under contract through the 2007 season.
The school did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
Hired on December 22, 1995, Novak has led the Huskies to four straight winning seasons, including a 10-2 mark last year, when they upset Maryland and Alabama and were ranked as high as 14th in the coaches' poll.
"This is very well deserved," Northern Illinois athletic director Cary Groth said. "Joe has truly done a great job with our football program. The program now has tremendous stability."
Novak has orchestrated one of the biggest turnarounds in NCAA history. Early in his tenure, the Huskies struggled through seasons of 1-10, 0-11 and 2-9, losing 23 straight games from 1996-98.
"I am very happy with the commitment the university has shown to me for the next three years," Novak said. "We will continue to work hard to make this football program one the university and our alumni can be proud of."
