Former UA football player, JC coach Ken Giovando captivated with his passion, storytelling

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PHOENIX — Ken Giovando’s legacy of passion, laughter, love and discipline won’t be forgotten.

The former UA football player and Scottsdale Community College football coach, who died June 25 at age 75, impacted everybody he came in touch with.

That was evident by the outpouring of love and support that his son, Mike Giovando, received following his father’s death. Giovando’s funeral is Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4225 N. 56th St. in Phoenix.

Mike Giovando, one of the top quarterback coaches in the Valley who works with numerous top high school and college quarterbacks, including Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler, helped his dad coach at SCC, when Ken was leading the Artichokes in the 2000s.

Ken Giovando served as offensive coordinator at SCC from 1972 to 1985 and was head coach there for 10 years in the 2000s. He was still teaching until 2015. He suffered a broken hip two years ago, his son said.

After suffering a fall two months ago, he was hospitalized. He had kidney problems, Mike said, and ultimately died from pneumonia, not related to COVID-19.

Ken Giovando was raised in Globe and played football at the UA from 1962-64. He was a defensive lineman, who in a game against BYU, returned two interceptions for touchdowns. A major knee injury cut short his career.

He was a fixture in the football program and in the physical education department at SCC for more than 50 years. A tremendous athlete growing up, he also taught tennis and golf.

“He always had a story and was never negative,” Mike said. “People don’t realize he was a phenomenal athlete. If he hadn’t messed up his knee, he probably would have played in the NFL.”

Wide receiver “Nick Miller played for us (in 2006) and at Southern Utah,” Mike Giovando said. “He said, ‘Nobody had an impact like your dad did.’ ”

Ken Giovando always had a story to tell. He could be funny, poignant, passionate and thoughtful. He never minced words and brought the best out of his players.

“There’s a couple of coaches in the coaching tree in my life that shaped me,” said Mike Giovando, the former head football coach at Phoenix Shadow Mountain. “It was my dad No. 1, and (former Scottsdale Chaparral and Phoenix Arcadia coach) Jim Bevell. Those are the guys who were well-respected and loved.

“I’m nothing like my dad. He was one of a kind. I’ll never hit his status. All I can do is honor him.”