Bethel Basketball: Skill Development

The Coach

Doug Novak

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As of February 2025, Coach Doug Novak has continued to build an extensive and diverse coaching career in collegiate basketball. After his tenure as head coach at Bethel University from 2013 to 2021, where he achieved a record of 131-68 (.658)—the highest winning percentage in the program's history—​

Novak transitioned to Mississippi State University in September 2021. Initially serving as the associate head coach for the women's basketball team, he was elevated to interim head coach in October 2021 following the resignation of Nikki McCray-Penson. During the 2021-2022 season, he led the Bulldogs to a 15-14 overall record.

In 2022, Novak joined the Army West Point men's basketball program as an assistant coach. After a season with Army, he accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team for the 2023-2024 season. In July 2024, Novak was appointed as an assistant coach for the George Washington University women's basketball team, where he currently serves.

Coaching Experience:

Division I Experience:

• Seven years as a head assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level.
• Coached and developed over 20 professional players.
• Assisted in leading Tulane University to a 20-win season and its first postseason victory since 1996.
• Recruited and developed two first-team all-conference players during his tenure at Tulane.
• Contributed to The Citadel achieving the most wins in a two-year span in school history and securing the school's first postseason tournament appearance.
• Played a key role in orchestrating a 14-win improvement, marking the most improved team in the country during his time at The Citadel.
• Recruited and developed three first-team all-conference players and coached three mid-major All-Americans at The Citadel.

Head Coaching Experience:

• Led Anderson University to its first winning season in NCAA Division II.
• Secured Anderson's first Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) Championship in program history.
• Served three seasons as the Athletic Director and head basketball coach at Iowa Western Community College.

Tennis Background:

• Played on the No. 1 nationally ranked collegiate tennis team at the University of Tennessee.
• Served as an assistant tennis coach at Clemson University.

Personal Life:

Doug and his wife, Tonya, have been married for over 30 years and have three daughters: Mackenzie, Sarah, and Grace. Tonya was an All-Big Ten tennis player at the University of Minnesota. The Novak family hails from Brandon, South Dakota.

Coach Novak's career reflects a commitment to developing student-athletes and contributing to the success of various collegiate basketball programs across the country.