John Francis Holecek (born May 7, 1972) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons. He went to college at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1995, went to the San Diego Chargers in 2001, and last played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002. Holecek played in the NFL for 8 seasons, and then returned to Chicago area. He currently coaches football at Loyola Academy - who won the 2015, 2018, and 2022 Class 8A Illinois Football State Championships. Holecek was a finalist for the 2015 National Coach of the Year award.