HONOLULU — Hawaii Pacific University has turned to Katie Novak to lead its women’s basketball program following the controversial firing of its former coach.
HPU has been without a head coach since April, when it formally dismissed Reid Takatsuka for what it called “a pattern of conduct that violated university policy.”
The Sharks were a perennial conference contender under Takatsuka, but allegations of verbal and mental mistreatment from some of his players arose near the end of his tenure; Takatsuka was suspended by Athletic Director Debbie Snell six games into the 2021-22 season. Other players defended him and his methods, resulting in divisions within the team and anger directed at athletic administration. Some of the Sharks’ most talented players left for other schools.
Novak, a five-year head coach at NCAA Division III Sul Ross State in Texas, arrives with a 42-83 career record, but has experience rebuilding a struggling program into one with a winning record. Sul Ross State’s 14-12 campaign in 2021-22 was the program’s first winning season since 2003.
The year before, Novak won American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Lobos to their best record ever in conference play at 7-5.
"We want to welcome Katie to our HPU Ohana," Snell said in a statement. "She emerged as a great candidate in our national search with her experience as a coach and student-athlete in all three NCAA Divisions. She has a great passion for leading our student-athletes both on and off the court. We are excited to give her the reins to our storied program."
That storied program was built in large part by Takatsuka, under whose 10-year watch the Sharks were regularly in the running for PacWest Conference championships and NCAA Division II tournament berths. At one point, the Sharks won 38 straight games.
Several of the players of the 2021-22 team spoke up to Spectrum News on Takatsuka’s behalf, while others said the allegations of verbal abuse were valid. Two coaches who worked with Takatsuka defended him.
After he was placed on leave, another assistant coach took over for two games, then gave way to HPU men’s basketball coach Darren Vorderbruegge, who coached out the rest of the women's season on an interim basis. HPU finished an uncharacteristic 9-18 overall and 6-14 in the PacWest.
Novak likely has a large reconstruction job ahead. Multiple players left during and after the season; HPU might have as many as nine returnees, but few experienced rotation players.
"I am thrilled to be the new head coach at HPU!" Novak said in HPU’s news release. "I consider myself lucky to be able continue my passion for teaching the game on this beautiful island, while empowering young women to work hard, be leaders in their communities, and pursue their dreams. I would like to thank Dr. Debbie Snell and the entire search committee for this opportunity. I immediately felt welcome and my family and I are excited to be a part of this great Ohana!"
Novak was a team captain at Division II Saint Joseph’s of Indiana and played three seasons, then transferred to Division I Incarnate Word in Texas and played two years. Her first job was as an assistant coach and strength coach at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio for three years.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.