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:
Bill Bleil
Current Job: Iowa State Assistant Head Coach/Tight End Coach
At NIU: (2003) Tight Ends Coach
Jay Boulware
Current Job: Wisconsin Tight Ends Coach
At NIU: (1997) Tight Ends Coach, (1998-2000) Co-Offensive Line Coach
Matt Canada
Current Job: NC State Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach
At NIU: (1998-2000) Running Backs, (2001-02) Quarterbacks Coach, (2003) Offensive Coordinator
Mark Hagen
Current Job: Texas A&M LBs coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Tackles Coach
Thomas Hammock
Current Job: Wisconsin Assistant Head Coach/RBs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
At NIU: (2005-06) Running Backs Coach
George McDonald
Current Job: Syracuse Offensive Coordinator
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: Arkansas Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2003-06) Assistant Head Coach/Interior Offensive Line
Tim Daoust
Current Job: Syracuse Defensive Line 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 Head Coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Secondary Coach, (2000-03) Defensive Coordinator & Secondary Coach
DeAndre Smith
Current Job: Syracuse RBs Coach
At NIU: (2001-04) Running Backs Coach
NFL Coaches:
Mike Mallory
Current Job: Jacksonville Jaguars Special Teams Coordinator
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Other coaches to keep track of:
Chris Beatty
Current Job: Illinois Co-Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Unemployed
At NIU: (2007) Assistant Coach/Running Backs Coach
Levern Belin
Current Job: Liberty Defensive Line Coach (FCS)
At NIU: (2004) Defensive Interior Line Coach
John Bond
Current Job: Georgia State Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach (FCS)
At NIU: (2004-06) Offensive Coordinator
Denny Doornbos
Current Job: Citadel Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DL Coach
At NIU: (2003) Linebackers Coach, (2004-07) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Harold Etheridge
Current Job: Georgia State OL Coach
At NIU: (2007) Offensive Line Coach
P.J. Fleck
Current Job: Western Michigan Head Coach
At NIU: (2007-09) Wide Receivers Coach, (2008-09) Recruiting Coordinator
Vinson Reynolds
Current Job: Western Michigan Defensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2000-03) 1st Team All-MAC Defensive End
Mike Sabock
Current Job: Western Michigan Running Backs/Special Teams Coach (RETIRED)
At NIU: (1996-2007) Defensive Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
Roy Wittke
Current Job: Eastern Illinois Director of Football Operations
At NIU: (2007) Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach