The Joe Novak Coaching Tree

updated on Aug 16, 2009 9:27 AM CDT

An underrated aspect of Coach Novak's tenure from 1996-2007 is the amount of assistants that have since gone on to succeed at BCS schools. Often, these coaches weren't properly compensated for how much they brought to the Northern Illinois program. Things have changed since, but the attrition of assistant coaches were one of the main reasons NIU had gone from the top of the MAC to mediocre in Novak's latter years as head coach. Just look at how we lost both our offensive and defensive coordinators (Canada & Shafer) after the legendary 2003 season where we were nationally ranked. They had to strike when the iron was hot to get better paying jobs.

Coach Novak says it best in this article from 2004:

"I guess you would say this is the price of success," said Novak, who led the Huskies to a 10-2 campaign, Top 30 national rankings, and victories over Bowl Championship Series opposition such as the University of Maryland, University of Alabama, and Iowa State University last fall. "We really brought in some good coaches, which will augment a fine, hard-working staff. While we’re sorry to see some people leave, we’re extremely happy with the coaching expertise that this new group brings to the table. There’s no doubt in my mind that our recent success helped attract this group to our program."

Since the end of the 2003 season, defensive coordinator and secondary coach Scott Shafer went to the University of Illinois, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Matt Canada took a position at his Indiana University alma mater, wide receivers coach George McDonald joined the Stanford University staff, and tight ends coach Bill Bleil went to the University of Pittsburgh.

Novak is part of Miami Ohio's famous "Cradle of Coaches", having played football there and served as an assistant coach. Novak himself might have sparked some bright careers and some possible future head coaches during his tutelage.

BCS Coaches:

Chris Beatty

Current Job: Vanderbilt Wide Receivers Coach
At NIU: (2007) Assistant Coach/Running Backs Coach

Bill Bleil

Current Job: Iowa State Assistant Coach/Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2003) Tight Ends Coach

Jay Boulware

Current Job: Auburn Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach
At NIU: (1997) Tight Ends Coach, (1998-2000) Co-Offensive Line Coach

Matt Canada

Current Job: Northern Illinois Offensive Coordinator
At NIU: (1998-2000) Running Backs, (2001-02) Quarterbacks Coach, (2003) Offensive Coordinator

P.J. Fleck

Current Job: Rutgers Wide Receivers Coach
At NIU: (2007-09) Wide Receivers Coach, (2008-09) Recruiting Coordinator

Mark Hagen

Current Job: Purdue Linebackers Coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Tackles Coach

Thomas Hammock

Current Job: Minnesota Running Backs Coach
At NIU: (2005-06) Running Backs Coach

George McDonald

Current Job: Miami Hurricanes Wide Receivers Coach
At NIU: (2001-03) Wide Receivers Coach

Pat Narduzzi

Current Job: Michigan State Defensive Coordinator
At NIU: (2000-02) Linebackers Coach

Sam Pittman

Current Job: North Carolina Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2003-06) Assistant Head Coach/Interior Offensive Line

Tim Daoust

Current Job: Syracuse Defensive Ends Coach
At NIU: (2002-03) Graduate Assistant

Dan Roushar

Current Job: Michigan State Offensive Coordinator
At NIU: (1997-2002) Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach

Scott Shafer

Current Job: Syracuse Defensive Coordinator
At NIU: (1996-99) Secondary Coach, (2000-03) Defensive Coordinator & Secondary Coach

DeAndre Smith

Current Job: Illinois Running Backs Coach
At NIU: (2001-04) Running Backs Coach

NFL Coaches:

Mike Mallory

Current Job: New Orleans Saints Assistant Special Teams Coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

Other coaches to keep track of:

Levern Belin

Current Job: Liberty Defensive Line Coach (FCS)
At NIU: (2004) Defensive Interior Line Coach

Steve Bernstein

Most Recent Job: (2008) Virginia Assistant Head Coach/Secondary Coach. Currently Retired.
At NIU: (2004-05) Secondary Coach

John Bond

Current Job: Georgia State Offensive Coordinator (FCS)
At NIU: (2004-06) Offensive Coordinator

Denny Doornbos

Current Job: St. Norbert College Defensive Coordinator (D-III)
At NIU: (2003) Linebackers Coach, (2004-07) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach