Sam Jankovich passed away in his sleep early in the morning of Wednesday, October 30, 2019. He was 85 years old. Sam was born in 1934 and was known as an American sports personality whose career started as Head Football coach at Butte High School and ended as CEO and General Manager of the New England Patriots.

Mr. Jankovich was born on September 10, 1934 in Butte Montana and was the child of Mitar and Dora Jankovich in addition to brother of Eileen Roberts.

Sam was raised in Butte as the son of a hard rock miner. Sam attended the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church which played a very important role in the lives of the Jankovich Family. Sam served as President of the church from 1958 – 1964 and during that time lead the way to the building of the new church and hall on Continental Drive in support of Father Doseti OBradovich. Sam attended Grant elementary school, developing many special friendships that was like family. They named the group the Rangatangs, a group of young boys who were also sons of immigrants. They have stayed very close to this day. Sam attended Butte High School where he was a standout football player and was fortunate to have played in the East/West Shrine Game. While at Butte High Sam met Patricia Mullins and enjoyed 37 years of marriage.

Shortly after high school Sam enrolled at the University of Montana where he obtained his degree in Physical Education. While attending college, Sam played football for the Griz, for Coach Jerry Williams.

Sam utilized his GI Bill and worked as a swamper and washing cars to pay for his education. Sam was drafted into the army after his first year in college and served 21 months stationed in Fort Hood before being discharged.

After graduating from college, Sam returned to Butte High School and served as an assistant football coach to Forrest Wilson. Sam's turning point to his career was in 1960 when Forrest resigned as head football coach. Sam took on the head coaching position and went on to win two state titles in 1960 and 1964, with undefeated seasons of 9-0. Sam also was a typing teacher and started the wrestling team during his tenure at Butte High. Sam joined lifetime friend Jim Sweeney as the Defensive Coordinator at Montana State. Sam returned to Butte School District for a newly created position as the Director of PE and Athletics under his dear friend Bob Sparks.

Sam reconnected with friend Jim Sweeney, in December of 1967 to take on the job as Defensive Coordinator of Washington State University (WSU). Sam worked through the lean years with great determination in the Pac 8 against the great USC, Stanford, UCLA and University of Washington teams. Sam was hospitalized during a recruiting trip in Seattle in 1972 and was forced into retirement from his coaching career. Sam had great passion for WSU and joined Ray Nagel as the Assistant Athletic Director where he enjoyed a wonderful working experience. He built the Cougar Booster Club throughout the Pacific Northwest and helped put Pullman on the map. Sam was promoted to Athletic Director of WSU in 1976 when Ray moved on to the University of Hawaii. Sam was faced with many challenges as AD at WSU. He was known as a visionary with great determination. This determination allowed him to expand Martin Stadium to 40,000 seats, allowing them to remain in the Pac 8. Ath this time he was also able to build new Baseball and Track facilities. The end result paved the way to scheduling USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford and Washing to play on campus in Pullman for the first time in over 20 years. The result was WSU's first bowl appearance in the Holiday Bowl in 1981 after 50 years. The track and baseball programs consistently competed for conference championships. Sam had a special relationship with George Raveling the head basketball coach. George went to two NCAA tournaments while building the WSU basketball program to national prominence. Sam cherished his working relationship President Glenn Terrel and Provost Wallace Beasley.

Sam left Washington State during the summer of 1983 to take on the job as Athletic Director at the University of Miami (The U). Sam was known for elevating the Canes to National prominence. This prominence included three football National Championships under three different coaches (Howard Schellenberger, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson). Sam was an innovator and on the leading edge of college athletics by creating individual departments to enhance graduation rates and complying with NCAA regulations. Sam also was leader within the NCAA by heading op the Television Committee that negotiated the TV contracts for all Universities and the formation of the Big East Football conference. Sam reinstated Basketball at The U which led the way to becoming a member of the Big East and national television contracts. Sam was instrumental to a major renovation to the Baseball Facility, Neal Schiff Tennis Center, the Sue and Chuck Cobb Track Stadium, the Thomas Kearns Hall of Fame Building, Basketball Facility and the major renovation to the Orange Bowl. Sam respected and had a great working relationship with the Executive Vice President Dave Lieberman and President Tad Foote.

Sam had a deep desire to experience the NFL before retiring. In 1990 he accepted the job as General Manager and CEO of the New England Patriots, and worked for the owner, Victor Kiam. Victor and Sam had a unique working relationship, in respect that Sam had full control of all decisions related to players,

staff and football operations. Sam took charge and immediately made one of the greatest trades of all time in the NFL when he traded the #1 choice to Rocket Ishmail for two first round choices and 6 defensive players from the Dallas Cowboys. The trade turned the Patriots from the oldest team in the NFL to the youngest and served as the foundation of the rebuilding of the franchise. The next year they selected Drew Bledsoe over Rick Mirer which resulted in the franchise's first Super Bowl championship. When the team was sold in 1992 Sam moved into retirement and took on some consulting opportunities which included General Manager of the Las Vegas Gladiators in the Arena Football League.

Sam was honored as an inductee into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame, Montana Football Hall of Fame, University of Miami Hall of Fame, Washington State University Hall of Fame and the NCAA Hall of Fame.

Sam moved back to his cabin in Hayden Lake Idaho in l1992 where he has enjoyed many great friendships and his membership at the Hayden Lake Country Club. Sam was a wonderful man with many words of wisdom and made a major impact on many people from all walks of life. He had many words of wisdom but two of his favorites were "you go in life where you are most wanted and needed" and "treat others the way you expect to be treated".

Sam will be sincerely missed by his friends, but more so by his beloved partner Margaret, his sons Michael and Sam, daughter Sue Ellen and their children, grandchildren and Patricia Andrews.

Friends may call on Friday after 5:00 PM in Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. Prayer service will be conducted at 6:00 PM. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday at 10:00 am in the Church. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.