Jim Pawelec is in his third season on the coaching staff at UPIKE, primarily focusing on the linebackers.
Part of the nation’s 26th-best defense in 2016, Pawelec coached senior linebacker Collie Taylor to First Team All-MSC East honors as he finished with 44 tackles, 2.5 stops for a loss and an interception at the position.
In his first season with the Bears, Pawelec coached Camron Parsley to an MSC East Defensive Freshman of the Year honor, as well as Arthur Williams to a First-Team All-MSC East selection.
Pawelec comes from Lyon College where he was the defensive backs coach in 2014 before spending three seasons as the defensive quality control coach and video coordinator at South Dakota State. During his tenure, the Jackrabbits advanced to the second round of the NCAA Div. I FCS Playoffs each season, finishing ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
Before his time at SDSU, Pawelec coached the defensive line at Dakota Wesleyan for two seasons, helping generate three All-Great Plains Athletic Conference players.
For three years, Pawelec worked as a coaching intern and the head equipment manager for the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League.
Pawelec played football at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., winning the Mineral Water Bowl championship in 2008. He played under head coach Brad Salem, who is currently the quarterbacks coach for Michigan State.
A native of Big Bend, Wis., Pawelec attended Mukwonago High School, earning a WIAA State Championship in 2004.
Pawelec earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Augustana, along with his master’s degree in educational policy and administration.
