University of Central Missouri Mules football head coach Josh Lamberson announced on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, the hiring of Neil Novak as the program's next defensive backs coach.

Novak joins Central Missouri after serving as the secondary/recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats under new UCM defensive coordinator and former Northwest Missouri State head coach Rich Wright during the 2024 season.

Before joining Wright in Maryville in 2024, Novak spent three seasons at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. He coached the defensive backs while also serving as the special teams and recruiting coordinator for WSC. Novak helped the Wildcats to an NSIC title and a berth into the NCAA Div. II playoffs in 2022. 

He played college football as a safety at Black Hills State University and earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Black Hills State in 2014. Novak secured a master's degree from Northwest Missouri State in 2018. He and his wife, Sami, have a son, Mavrik.

"I am thrilled to welcome Neil, Sami and Mavrik into the UCM Football family," Lamberson said. "Coach Novak brings experience from every level of defense into our defensive backs room. He has coached every position on that side of the ball and is well versed in special teams as well. Neil has worked with Coach Wright for several years and understands his systems and terminology. He is an outstanding recruiter and tireless worker and will be a huge asset to our defensive backs room and our football team. I am extremely excited to add his energy, knowledge, work ethic and commitment into our football program."