Novak Coaches, Mentors Woodland Hills Community

For George Novak, it's not about making it to the playoffs.

It's not about winning, although he has six WPIAL titles, without any ties or co-championships. It's not about the fact that he came within inches of making history by being the first coach to win one more to make that seven championships.

It's about coaching football and, more importantly, the kids.  

"I'm proud that we've done so well, but that stuff's just not important in the big scheme of life," Novak said.

Novak is the first and only athletic director of the Woodland Hills School District and head coach of the Woodland Hills High Wolverines. He has held these positions since the school's opening in 1987 and just finished his 24th football season.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Novak graduated from Georgia Tech University where he received a four-year football scholarship. Once out of school, he worked for Schwinn Bicycle Company as a dealer consultant, later moving back to Pittsburgh to work as a salesman at IBM and eventually at Westinghouse.

But, something was missing from Novak's life.

He began night school at Duquesne University to earn a math teaching certificate, a move that would eventually reunite him with his passion -- football. Soon, he was teaching mathematics at Steel Valley High School, serving as the assistant to the varsity football coach.

After two years of assisting, Novak became head coach in 1979. He held that position for eight years, winning the school's first WPIAL Class AAA championship in 1982.

After all of these years, his priorities haven't changed. He not only focuses on the Wolverines' physical ability, but also enforces a daily mandatory study session. Out of the team's 75 players, 30 were on the honor roll this year and 10 were on high honor roll.

"We work a lot on discipline, respect and responsibility," Novak said. "They learn a lot more than just football."

That is evident in his players, who possess the same positive attitude as Novak when reflecting on the recent WPIAL Class AAAA championship loss to North Allegheny High School. 

"I was sad we lost, but I could sleep at night knowing that everybody gave it their all," said Quinton Jefferson, a defensive end.

Novak stresses, not only to his team but also the rest of the district, the importance of hard work and the relationships that are cultivated on and off the field. 

When asked what Novak has taught him, running back Lafayette Pitts, responded simply: "To be a better person."