David Novak fired as boys basketball coach at American Leadership Gilbert North
David Novak said he was fired as head boys basketball coach at American Leadership Academy Gilbert North, a 4A school he led to the No. 2 seed in the 32-team Open Division state tournament in 2023 and No. 11 seed in the Open this past season.
"They said they want the basketball program to go in a different direction, but want me to stay on as assistant AD," Novak texted The Arizona Republic. "Which doesn't make any sense since I turned our basketball program from a losing program into one of the best in the state, making it to the sweet sixteen of Open division back-to-back years and becoming a very well-respected program."
Novak will seek another head coaching job, and he added, "Dylan will transfer, as well."
Dylan Novak has been one of the top players in the state since his father was hired, helping turn around the program.
As a freshman in the 2021-22 season, Novak averaged 16.9 points and 4.4 assists on a 20-win team, after the team went 9-16 two seasons before that.
Dylan Novak, a 6-foot-1 junior point guard, averaged 21.3 points and 6.2 assists on last season's 23-6 team. As a sophomore, he averaged 21.6 points on a team that went 27-3.
Messages from The Republic have been sent to ALA Gilbert North Principal Dan Provonsha and Athletic Director Jeff Oliverson.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: David Novak fired as boys basketball coach at ALA Gilbert North
