 He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1964 with a degree in physical education.A knee injury ended his football playing career before he could letter at Western Michigan, but he was Mid-American Conference outdoor shot put champion as a senior.Before St. Joseph, Uzelac coached at Bowling Green University, the University of Michigan, Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Kentucky, the University of Minnesota, the University of Maryland, and the NFL's Cleveland Browns.