Returning for his fifth season working on the Husker sideline in 2006-07, Doug Novsek (pronounced NAHV-sek) is the veteran of Coach Barry Collier's staff. Novsek has worked the Nebraska bench as an assistant coach since 2002, assisting with daily workouts, on-court coaching during practices and games, as well as recruiting.

Novsek's ability to work with players at any position has served the Huskers well as he has been the position coach for the perimeter players for one season, the post players for two years and last year he coached the point guards.

Under Novsek's tutelage in 2005-06, guard Charles Richardson Jr. was the first Husker in four years to post at least 100 assists. Richardson ranked 10th in the Big 12 Conference in assists per game (3.3) and was one of the best at taking care of the ball as he ranked fourth in the league in assist:turnover ratio (1.92:1).

In 2004-05, Novsek worked with the post players and helped center Aleks Maric rank as one of the top Big 12 freshmen in the league. Maric set an NU freshman record with 169 rebounds and ranked among the top 15 in the conference in rebounding.

Novsek was the recruiting coordinator at each of his three previous coaching stops and continues to play a key role in recruiting at Nebraska. During his career he has helped teams to four top-35 recruting classes, including two at Nebraska and one each at Southwest Texas and Indiana State.

Novsek spent three seasons (1999-00 to 2001-02) as an assistant coach at Illinois State. He worked with ISU’s post players and was also in charge of scouting while assisting with scheduling for the Redbirds.

During his tenure, Illinois State had a combined 48-43 record and finished the 2000-01 season with a 21-9 mark while advancing to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Previously Novsek spent five years as an assistant coach at Southwest Texas, as the Bobcats garnered a 75-62 overall record, including three straight winning seasons.

Novsek helped the 1999 Bobcats rank fourth nationally in field-goal percentage defense and 19th in rebounding margin while on their way to winning a second regular-season conference title. Two years earlier, Novsek helped Southwest Texas to an NCAA Tournament berth as the Bobcats, who finished the regular season tied for the league championship, won the Southland Conference Tournament title.

Success on the recruiting trail was not new to Novsek, who was part of the staff that recruited a top-20 class to Indiana State during his stint with the Sycamores (1989-90 to 1993-94). Novsek became the Sycamores’ head recruiter and took over scheduling duties in his final season at Indiana State. Previously he was involved with scouting, film exchange and directing the Indiana State shooting camps.

A Lawrenceville, Ill., native, Novsek earned his bachelor’s degree in 1987 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Novsek played basketball for the Salukis for four years and served twice as a captain.

As a prep standout, Novsek was second runner-up for the Illinois Mr. Basketball award in 1982 after leading Lawrenceville High School to an undefeated record and Class A state championship.

Novsek and his wife, Cheryl, have two children: a daughter, Jordyn and a son, Derek.