Frank Novak

Frank Novak (born c. 1940) is an American former football coach who is best known for coaching special teams in the National Football League (NFL).

Early career Novak was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, and attended Leominster High School. He later played football at Northern Michigan University, where he earned NCAA Division II All-American honors as a quarterback in 1961. After college, Novak spent the 1962 training camp with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Coaching career 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. 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.

NFL Coaching Career 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. Novak also served as special teams coordinator with the Detroit Lions for 1995-1996, San Diego Chargers 1997-1998, and the Green Bay Packers from 2000-2005.

Pro Bowl kicker Rob Bironas credits Novak with helping find another kicking job in the NFL. 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.

Personal life Novak is currently retired from professional coaching and resides in Oxford, Michigan. He serves as a motivational speaker and also volunteers as a high school football coach at Leominster High School and Lake Orion High School. In 2012, Frank married noted Metro Detroit realtor Suzanne Fodor.

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