Stan Pavko

Stonko Sidney "Stan" Pavkov (October 23, 1916 – February 8, 2002) was an American football player and coach. He played college football for Idaho from 1935 to 1937 and professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers (1939–1940). He was an Idaho high school coach from 1940 to 1948. He moved to California in 1948 and held various coaching positions at Modesto Junior College for 48 years from 1948 to 1996.

Early life Pavkov was born in 1916 in Gooding, Idaho. He attended Gooding High School where he was an outstanding football player and wrestler. also played professional football for the minor league Cincinnati Bengals and Paterson Panthers in 1938. He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1939 and 1940 season. He appeared in 11 or 13 NFL games as an offenssive guard and linebacker for the Pirates/Steelers.

Coaching career After his playing career ended, Pavkov served in the U.S. Army. He then returned to Idaho and taught and coach football and track in American Falls, Blackfoot, and Idaho Falls.

In 1948, he was hired as head track coach and assistant football coach at Modesto Junior College (MJC) in Modesto, California. In 1951, we was promoted to head football coach, holding that position for 17 seasons and compiling a 66–83–7 record. He later became the athletic director and remained at MJC until 1995. At Modesto, he coached players such as Gino Marchetti, Paul Wiggin, Dave Maggard, Proverb Jacobs, and John Gamble.

Later years and death Pavkov was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame in 1990. After moving to Modesto, he changed his name to S. Stan Pavko. He died on February 8, 2002, at age 85, in Modesto.

Head coaching record Junior college football