Bob Junko Hometown: Washington, Pa. Position: Dir. of Football Relations and Program Enhancement Alma Mater: Tulsa, 1968

After spending nearly four decades in the coaching ranks, Bob Junko moved to the administrative side of college football in 2007 as Pitt's director of football relations and program enhancement.

Junko is a natural for the role given his tremendous football acumen and contacts. Now in his sixth year in that capacity, he assists in the daily operations of the program and also has a focus on the Panthers' extended family of football alumni.

One of the best-known football figures in the tri-state area, Junko has been a highly valuable figure within the Pitt program. He played a major role in the Panthers' recruiting successes over the past decade and in 2006 was named one of the nation's top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com. Junko also received wide praise from the press and players alike for his work with the Panthers' 2012 recruiting class.

The 2012 season marks the 16th year of Junko's second tour at Pittsburgh. He initially coached at Pitt from 1982-85, serving as defensive coordinator under head coach Foge Fazio. He returned in 1997 as defensive tackles coach under Walt Harris and was elevated to assistant head coach in 2000.

Prior to returning to Pittsburgh, Junko was the defensive coordinator at Kent State from 1995-96. Junko also served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator for seven years at Akron (1988-94). He additionally held similar positions at Northwestern, TCU and Tulsa, his alma mater.

In his first stint with the Panthers, the 1982 team received a Cotton Bowl bid and finished ninth in the country. The 1983 Panthers earned a Fiesta Bowl berth and ranked 19th in the final polls.

Among the standouts on those defenses were tackle Bill Maas, defensive end Chris Doleman and defensive backs Tim Lewis and Tom Flynn, all of whom went on to careers in the NFL.

As a collegian, Junko starred at Tulsa as an inside linebacker and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 1967. He also was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team twice and served as team captain.

Junko earned a bachelor's degree in history education in 1968 and his master's in educational administration in 1970 at Tulsa. He was inducted into the University of Tulsa Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Personal Information

Birthdate: July 4, 1946
Hometown: Washington, Pa.
Alma Mater: Tulsa, '68
Family: Junko's wife's name is Judy. Their family includes sons Jay and his wife Kim, Jeff and his wife Meredith, Mike and his wife Mistydae. Bob and Judy have eight grandchildren: Ryan, Joshua, Caleb, Bryn, Ethan, Lila Rose, Owen and Derek.

Coaching Experience

College
Tulsa, 1968, graduate assistant; 1969, freshman coach; 1970-74, linebackers; 1975, defensive coordinator.
Texas Christian, 1976-81, defensive coordinator; 1979-81, assistant head coach.
Pittsburgh, 1982-85, defensive coordinator & linebackers.
Northwestern, 1986-87, defensive coordinator.
Akron, 1988-94, associate head coach & defensive coordinator.
Kent State, 1995-96, defensive coordinator & linebackers.
Pittsburgh, 1997-2005, defensive tackles; 2000-2006, assistant head coach; 2006, recruiting coordinator; 2007-present, director of football relations and program enhancement.