| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1928 Joliet, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 4, 2005 (aged 77) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1945–1948 | Illinois |
| Position(s) | End |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1952 | Wichita (assistant) |
| 1953–1958 | LaSalle-Peru HS (IL) |
| 1959–1960 | Illinois (assistant) |
| 1961–1965 | Army (assistant) |
| 1966 | South Carolina (assistant) |
| 1967–1970 | Illinois |
| 1973–1975 | New England Patriots (ST) |
| 1988 | New York Knights |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1976–1978 | New England Patriots (assistant GM) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 8–32 (college) 2–10 (AFL) |
James Joseph Valek (January 25, 1928 – September 4, 2005) was an American football player, coach, and executive. He served as the head football coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1967 to 1970, compiling a record of 8–32.[1] Valek also coached the New York Knights, of the Arena Football League, to a 2–10 record in 1988.