Brandon Novak

Novak is in his 26th season as an assistant coach for the Johnnies in 2025. A 2001 graduate of SJU, Novak was named the MIAC Most Valuable Player as a linebacker in 1999 and a two-time, first-team All-America selection. He coached linebackers for 11 seasons but transitioned to the offensive side of the ball to coach running backs in 2012, only to return to the defensive side of the ball in 2013. Novak ended a 10-year tenure as the head wrestling coach at SJU following the 2013-14 season. On the mat, Novak won the national wrestling title at 197 pounds in March 2001 and was a three-time All-American. He was inducted into the Division III National Wrestling Coaches' Association (NWCA) Hall of Fame in March 2017. Novak and his wife, Heather, live in St. Joseph with their two sons, Sebastian and Maikol, and daughter, Luciana.