Novak coached high school football in New London, Connecticut and Iron Mountain, Michigan. He then returned to NMU in 1966 under head coach Rollie Dotsch, where he spent 6 years as a coach including the final 2 seasons as offensive coordinator. During this time, one of his players was future Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.[1] Also on the NMU staff were notable coaches Jerry Glanville and Carl Reese,[4] both of whom Novak would coach alongside later in their careers. Over the next 10 seasons he coached offensive backs or served as offensive coordinator at various colleges and universities, including stints with head coach Sonny Randle at East Carolina and Virginia.[3]
Novak returned to the NCAA ranks for the 1988 season to coach running backs at Missouri, who were coached by Woody Widenhofer after the dissolution of the USFL.[5]
Novak began coaching running backs in the NFL in 1989 with the Houston Oilers under head coach Jerry Glanville. Novak and Glanville had previously served as assistant coaches together at Northern Michigan University. In 1990, Jack Pardee was named coach of the Oilers and retained Novak, and in 1994 he was named special teams coordinator.[6] Novak also served as special teams coordinator with the Detroit Lions for 1995-1996, San Diego Chargers 1997-1998,[7] and the Green Bay Packers from 2000-2005.[3] Novak had joined the Chargers when friend Kevin Gilbride was hired as head coach, and resigned when Gilbride was fired after the 1998 season.
During the 2000 season, Novak was pantsed during practice by quarterback Brett Favre as a practical joke.[8]
Pro Bowl kicker Rob Bironas credits Novak with helping find another kicking job in the NFL.[9] Bironas had been cut by the Green Bay Packers in 2002 after signing as an undrafted free agent.
Novak was associated with the Run and shoot offense during his time in the USFL and with the Oilers and Chargers.
Novak has five grown children from a previous marriage. One of his sons, Jason, is currently head strength and conditioning coach with the Michigan State University. Jason had previously served as head strength and condition coach at Central Michigan University, Yale and Alabama State. Novak is also the maternal grandfather to former American Professional Baseball Relief Pitcher Matt Picucci [12]
