Former minor leaguer Adam Pavkovich enters his second season as an assistant coach with the Navy baseball program in 2025, working primarily with the hitters and infielders. With eight seasons of professional playing experience and having coached for more than a decade at the Division I level, Pavkovich joined the Navy staff in July 2023, reuniting him with head coach Chuck Ristano.
Navy’s first season with Pavkovich on staff saw immediate improvement on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field, as the Midshipmen advanced to the Patriot League Championship Series for the first time since 2019. The Navy lineup posted a program-record 89 hit-by-pitches and the third-most stolen bases in program history (86), while the defense tallied a .981 fielding percentage that ranked third in program history and seventh in the nation for 2024.
Individually, Pavkovich oversaw shortstop Eduardo Diaz take home Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, while also helping All-Patriot League Second-Teamer Brock Murtha’s bat and glove both flourish at second base.
Pavkovich arrived in Annapolis after most recently serving as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky for three seasons (2020-2022), working with the Hilltoppers’ catchers and outfielders while also handling the role of recruiting coordinator.
During his time at WKU, Pavkovich helped lead the Hilltoppers to a 10-6 start in the 2020 season before the campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2021 team racked up 27 wins en route to its second-straight Conference USA Tournament appearance. Individually, Pavkovich helped coach outfielder Jackson Gray to All-Conference USA Second-Team and ABCA/Rawlings Midwest All-Region Second-Team honors in 2021, before developing catcher Ty Batusich into a 2022 All-CUSA Freshman Team selection the following season.
Pavkovich spent 2019 as an assistant at Notre Dame alongside Ristano, where Pavkovich was responsible for infield defense and running the offense while assisting in recruiting efforts. Helping complete back-to-back Top-50 recruiting classes in 2020 and 2021, his second stint in South Bend also saw him work with the analytics team to develop advanced scouting reports and internal evaluations.
Prior to his Fighting Irish return, Pavkovich was an assistant coach for three years at Georgia State (2016-18). Helping improve the Panthers’ slugging percentage in each season, he was also responsible for coaching infield defense as well as instituting offensive approaches and philosophy. Additionally, as the Panthers’ recruiting coordinator, he prepared and executed a recruiting strategy that helped land a school-record No. 61-ranked class in 2017.
Pavkovich’s first stint with the Irish was as a volunteer assistant in 2014 and 2015, working with Notre Dame’s infielders and hitters. With Pavkovich and Ristano helping the team to an NCAA Regional berth in 2015, Pavkovich oversaw a defense that led Division I in double plays while ranking ninth nationally in fielding percentage. Individually, Pavkovich mentored a 2015 ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient in current Toronto Blue Jays infielder Cavan Biggio.
Pavkovich arrived at Notre Dame after spending the 2013 season as an assistant coach at Alabama-Huntsville, and also spent two years (2011-12) as a student assistant at his alma mater Alabama. During his time on the Crimson Tide staff, Pavkovich mentored a 2011 ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection in center fielder Taylor Dugas, who was later picked in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.
Pavkovich began his coaching career at IMG Academy (2007-2009) in Sarasota, Fla., serving as a special instructor during the winters. While at IMG, he worked with several players who went on to be drafted and a pair who eventually reached the Major Leagues in Tyler Pastornicky of the Atlanta Braves and J.R. Murphy of the New York Yankees.
Selected in the 11th round of the 2003 MLB Draft, Pavkovich enjoyed an eight-year professional baseball career with the Los Angeles Angels organization, reaching Triple-A while earning invitations to Major League spring training in 2008 and 2009. He played in 708 career minor league games, turning in his best year in 2008 as he batted .280 with 22 home runs and 80 RBI for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.
Pavkovich was a three-year letter winner as a shortstop at Alabama (2001-03), helping the Crimson Tide to Southeastern Conference Tournament championships and NCAA Regional appearances in 2002 and 2003. His best year came in 2003, when he batted .338 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI and an SEC-leading 27 doubles, earning SEC All-Tournament Team honors and being named CoSIDA Academic All-District.
Pavkovich completed his bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from Alabama in 2012, minoring in computer science. The Venice, Fla., native is married to the former Lindsay Devore, and the couple has two daughters, Presley Grace and Sadie Belle, and one son, Ty.
