Dekalb, IL -- (Sports Network) - Joe Novak retired as head football coach at Northern Illinois on Monday.

After a disappointing 2-10 season this year, Novak decided it's time to step away from a program he virtually built.

"I feel good about this decision," Novak said. "It's time. It's the right time for me personally, for my wife [Carole] and family, and for this program. Everyone says you know when it's time and this is it for me. "

Novak departs with a career record of 63-75, recording the most wins of any NIU coach in modern history. The Huskies won 58 of 90 games from the middle of the 1999 campaign through the 2006 season.

Northern Illinois won or shared the MAC West Division title four times, made two bowl appearances (2004 Silicon Valley Classic and 2006 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl) and played in the league's championship game in 2005.

"Overall, it's been a wonderful ride," Novak added. "There have been good days and bad days, but a lot more good than bad. I'm leaving the program in better shape than I found it, which you always want to do. We accomplished some things, but there are some things we didn't get done, too."

Northern Illinois was one of just 18 programs in the nation, and the only team not affiliated with a Bowl Championship Series conference, to post seven straight winning seasons from 2000-06.

Novak will continue to direct the football program in its off-season workouts until a new coach is named although he will not be involved in recruiting efforts. He will remain at Northern Illinois through June 30, 2008 as a Special Assistant to athletic director Dr. Jim Phillips.