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One of the great players in Stanford football history and a member of the school's Hall of Fame, Ken Margerum returned to the Farm as wide receivers coach on February 3, 2004. Margerum not only brings with him experience as a Stanford student-athlete, but he played seven seasons in the NFL and has coached on the collegiate and professional levels since his graduation in 1981.
A two-time First-Team All-America receiver at Stanford, Margerum's name still peppers the Cardinal record book in several categories. He is still the school and Pacific-10 Conference record holder with 32 career touchdown receptions. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,430) and was No. 2 in career receptions (141). He was a consensus First-Team All-America in both 1979 and '80. He was also a three-time First-Team All-Pac-10 selection as well as being named Academic All-America.
Margerum was the Cardinal's starting receiver from '78-80. He caught 53 passes for 942 yards and nine TDs in '78, 41 catches for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns in '79 and 41 receptions for 691 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He was chosen in the third round of 1981 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, where he played for five-and-a-half seasons.
In his first year with the Bears, Margerum was named to the league's All-Rookie team after moving into the starting lineup. A knee injury forced him to miss the entire 1984 season, but after training with Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden, he came back in 1985 and was a part of one of the greatest teams in NFL history. The Bears went 18-1 in '85 and beat New England 46-10 to win Super Bowl XX.
Margerum, who stayed with the Bears until midway through the 1986 campaign, finished his career with the 49ers in '86 and '87. He was a backup to Jerry Rice and John Taylor with the Niners during his year-and-a-half.
Margerum's coaching career began in 1993 at the Hawaiian Prep Academy where he was the offensive coordinator for three years (1993-95). He spent the '96 season at the University of Hawaii as its receivers coach before becoming head coach at NCAA Division III Menlo College for three years (1997-99).
Margerum spent two seasons (2000-01) coaching wide receivers at the University of California, then coached tight ends at Laney Junior College in Oakland during the 2002 campaign. Last year, he was the offensive coordinator for the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. His offense set a league record for yards per game (417.3) and just missed setting he league record for points per game (30.3). He coached running back Ken Simonton, named the league's MVP, and quarterback Craig Nall, named to the All-NFL Europe team.
Although he graduated from Stanford in 1981 with a degree in Communication, Margerum's name is still listed throughout the Cardinal record book. Entering the 2004 season, he is still No. 1 in career touchdown receptions, No. 4 in career receiving yards, No. 4 in career touchdowns, No. 7 in career yards per catch (17.2), No. 8 in career points scored (208), and No. 9 in career receptions. On Stanford's single season lists, he is No. 2 in touchdown receptions (11 in 1980), No. 7 in receiving yards (942 in '78) and No. 8 in touchdowns (11 in 1980). In track, Margerum's time of 14.3 in the 110 high hurdles as a freshman was just off the school record of 14.2. He was a member of one of Stanford's all-time best 4x100 meter relay teams in 1978 along with James Lofton, Darrin Nelson and Gordon Banks
A native of Fountain Valley, California, Margerum was a two-sport star at Fountain Valley High School. He was named the Orange County Athlete of the Year and All-CIF in football as a senior while also placing second in the California state meet in the 120 high hurdles in a time of 13.78.
Margerum's wife, Joy, is a 1983 graduate of Cal State Hayward, Joy earned All-America honors competing in the hurdles, long jump, heptathlon and relays. The couple has two daughters: Sunny (born 7/31/92) and Windy (born 9/24/99).
| Coaching Assignments | |
| 1993-95 | Hawaii Prep Academy - |
| Offensive Coordinator | |
| 1996 | Hawaii - Wide Receivers |
| 1997-99 | Menlo College - Head Coach |
| 2000-01 | California - Wide Receivers |
| 2002 | Laney Junior College - Tight Ends |
| 2003 | Scottish Claymores (NFL Europe) - |
| Offensive Coordinator | |
| 2004 | Stanford - Wide Receivers |
Prominent Players Coached
Nate Jackson, WR, Menlo College
Jeff McArthur, WR, California
LaShaun Ward, WR, California
Ken Simonton, RB, Scottish Claymores
Craig Nall, QB, Scottish Claymores
Edell Shepard, WR, Scottish Claymores
The Margerum File
Full Name: Ken Margerum
Hometown: Fountain Valley, California
High School: Fountain Valley
College: Stanford, 1981 (B.A. Communications)
Wife: Joy
Children: Sunny, Windy
Playing Experience: WR, Stanford, 1977-80; WR, Chicago Bears, 1981-86; WR, San Francisco 49ers, 1986-87