University of the Pacific

Generally credited as the savior of the Pacific football program, John Rohde served as head coach of the Tigers from 1961-63 following a three-year playing career in Stockton. 

When Pacific drastically cut its funding in the early 60s, football was part of the forementioned programs. Rohde though, along with assistant Don "Tiny" Campora, were the sport's life line that kept the program going. 

As a player, Rohde led the Tigers with 19 receptions for 477 yards and eight touchdowns at tight end in 1948, and again the next year with 25 catches for 283 yards and seven scored. He was awarded the Red Busher Award for the team's most outstanding lineman in 1946 and 1949, and played in the 1949 East-West Shrine Game. 

Rohde was drafted in the eighth round by the Washington Redskins in 1950, but injury problems cut his career short and he returned to Pacific as an assistant under Larry Siemering, and later, Jack "Moose" Myers.