NIU coach knows about rebuilding

The 37-7 loss Northern Illinois University suffered against Texas Christian University in the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl played December 19 in San Diego was the Huskies’ first-ever bowl game loss in three NCAA Division I appearances, but the post-season defeat against a top-25 team couldn’t be considered NIU’s worst loss ever, even under coach Joe Novak.

Novak concluded his second year as the Huskies’ head coach with a 42-0 loss to Miami of Ohio on November 15, 1997, which gave NIU an 0-11 record for the season. Novak’s first season as head coach ended with a 67-28 loss to Oregon State on November 1...