Came across this interview on youtube last night. Not sure if anyone else had posted it.

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naX7HkjYdWE

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkeHLTWyC...re=related

Enjoy.

pretty good interviews, he's a great guy/coach and always a good/truthful conversation

It's fun seeing the parts that get him smiling. Talking about building things up, the parents, the work players put in, the psychology of working with kids, the overlooked kids with something to prove, you can see the different parts of the job that really stick with him.

Also, he still uses "we." As in "we still don't have an indoor facility." Not consistently because he's a sane man and knows he's retired, but it's still there.

I love Coach Joe and will always be grateful for what he did for the program. Great stuff.

Man, this makes me miss Coach Joe. What a classy guy!
Thanks for posting this link.

I love that man. And you know, while the interviewer was clearly pretty young he never talked down to him and spoke to him seriously, like a man.

Is NIU doing anything to honor him?

Oh, in part two he said he hated the internet chatter...specifically the boards I bet... ha!

(08-02-2011 12:02 AM)niuguy Wrote:  Oh, in part two he said he hated the internet chatter...specifically the boards I bet... ha!

Ironic that his own kid (Huskie Dan) was one of the lead posters here when his dad was coach.

I talked with Joe several times during the seasons and post-seasons, and he was as classy, respectful, and humble as anyone you'll ever meet.

While the man is still living and enjoying retirement, I'd say let's get going on the statue of him at Huskie Stadium. Bring him out for a magnificent unveiling and huge celebration. Dedicate an entire game day's festivities to him. I vote that we melt down the pigdog and use the bronze to create an image that is a fine testament to a true Huskie hero.

(08-02-2011 07:43 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I talked with Joe several times during the seasons and post-seasons, and he was as classy, respectful, and humble as anyone you'll ever meet.

While the man is still living and enjoying retirement, I'd say let's get going on the statue of him at Huskie Stadium. Bring him out for a magnificent unveiling and huge celebration. Dedicate an entire game day's festivities to him. I vote that we melt down the pigdog and use the bronze to create an image that is a fine testament to a true Huskie hero.

+1

Love Joe!

(08-01-2011 11:59 PM)niuguy Wrote:  I love that man. And you know, while the interviewer was clearly pretty young he never talked down to him and spoke to him seriously, like a man.

Is NIU doing anything to honor him?

Don't create a statue for him. If the pig/dog is any indication, it would look horrible.

(08-02-2011 08:27 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(08-01-2011 11:59 PM)niuguy Wrote:  I love that man. And you know, while the interviewer was clearly pretty young he never talked down to him and spoke to him seriously, like a man.

Is NIU doing anything to honor him?

Don't create a statue for him. If the pig/dog is any indication, it would look horrible.

They just need to award the commission for a Joe Novak statue to a sculptor, not a junk fabricator.

The shot of him after the Maryland game with his arms raised would be perfect.

I am sure he would want to see the IPF built before any money is spent on frivolous decorations.

How about for now we name a street after him.

"Joe Novak Way"

This could be the current Stadium Dr from the East side of Huskie stadium towards the center of campus. This would be an example of his dedication to have his athletes be students first.


Anyone willing to donate money specifically for this?

(08-02-2011 09:46 AM)NIUSAE Wrote:  The shot of him after the Maryland game with his arms raised would be perfect.

That was his "moment".

(08-02-2011 10:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I am sure he would want to see the IPF built before any money is spent on frivolous decorations.

How about for now we name a street after him.

"Joe Novak Way"

This could be the current Stadium Dr from the East side of Huskie stadium towards the center of campus. This would be an example of his dedication to have his athletes be students first.


Anyone willing to donate money specifically for this?

Like the IPF, money would come from donations specifically earmarked for it. Relatively speaking, it would not cost a lot of money.

(08-02-2011 10:44 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 10:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I am sure he would want to see the IPF built before any money is spent on frivolous decorations.

How about for now we name a street after him.

"Joe Novak Way"

This could be the current Stadium Dr from the East side of Huskie stadium towards the center of campus. This would be an example of his dedication to have his athletes be students first.


Anyone willing to donate money specifically for this?

Like the IPF, money would come from donations specifically earmarked for it. Relatively speaking, it would not cost a lot of money.

But I am sure that the Coach would not want that until the IPF is built.

(08-02-2011 11:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 10:44 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 10:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I am sure he would want to see the IPF built before any money is spent on frivolous decorations.

How about for now we name a street after him.

"Joe Novak Way"

This could be the current Stadium Dr from the East side of Huskie stadium towards the center of campus. This would be an example of his dedication to have his athletes be students first.


Anyone willing to donate money specifically for this?

Like the IPF, money would come from donations specifically earmarked for it. Relatively speaking, it would not cost a lot of money.

But I am sure that the Coach would not want that until the IPF is built.

No question.

(08-02-2011 12:08 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 11:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 10:44 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 10:00 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I am sure he would want to see the IPF built before any money is spent on frivolous decorations.

How about for now we name a street after him.

"Joe Novak Way"

This could be the current Stadium Dr from the East side of Huskie stadium towards the center of campus. This would be an example of his dedication to have his athletes be students first.


Anyone willing to donate money specifically for this?

Like the IPF, money would come from donations specifically earmarked for it. Relatively speaking, it would not cost a lot of money.

But I am sure that the Coach would not want that until the IPF is built.

No question.

Really though who would be willing to donate some $ to get Stadium Drive re-named Joe Novak Way?

Four signs and mounting brackets would be needed at about $300 plus labor to install them and maybe some silly DeKalb fee. I am figuring that it would be no more than $1,000 total to get done and more likely under $750.

I am in for $50

I know this program had its moments of glory before he arrived, like the 1963 "small college" National Championship and the 1983 MAC Champions. But, as far as I'm concerned, Joe Novak IS the NIU football program. The Yordon Center is there because of him, the team consistently brings in good recruiting classes because of the legacy he built, we see people like Doug Free, Ryan Diem, and Michael Turner making a major impact in the NFL every week because of him, most of the upperclassmen on last years record-setting team for wins were guys he recruited.

Even this season with the great offense, 4/5 of the awesome offensive line, the star QB, and 2 (maybe 3 if Grady plays enough) of our key WR's are Novak recruits. And the reason the program has hired 2 capable replacements since he left is it was left in good shape by Novak (it's too bad the fluky 2007 season was his last). Even whenever the IPF is built, it'll be something you can tie, perhaps more indirectly, to Novak IMO. Anytime I watch a game at Alabama, I'll know NIU won there. Anytime I watch College GameDay, I'll remember when they were at an NIU GAME (even though they lost). I'm all for street names, statues, or anything else to honor him.