Football | September 2

DeKALB, Ill. – When the Northern Illinois University football team takes the field in 2026, the team will do so honoring late NIU Hall of Fame Coach Joe Novak. The Huskies will wear helmet stickers in dedication to the legendary coach who embodied "The Hard Way", a motto that the program has carried since Novak roamed the sidelines.

Novak, who passed on July 28, 2026, steered the Huskies to national headlines during his tenure from 1996-2007. All-time Novak ranks second in games coached (139) in program history and third in wins (63) while winning four MAC West Division titles and recording seven consecutive winning seasons from 2000-06.

Under Novak, NIU began collecting "Boneyard Victories", posting wins over Wake Forest in 2002 and #15 Maryland, #21 Alabama and Iowa State in 2003. Boneyard Victories date back to 1983 and are defined as wins over teams from "power" leagues, as well as independents like Notre Dame and (formerly) BYU.

The Hard Way describes the Huskies culture of toughness, hard work, sacrifice and determination required to get the job done no matter the obstacle.
 

Decal details:

• JN: Coach Novak's initials
• Dog bones: Representing Boneyard Victories
• T.H.W.: The Hard Way, the culture and determination Coach Novak instilled in the NIU Football program

NIU opens the season at #22 Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and hosts its first home game against Illinois State on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. CT available on MW+.