After a brief stay as a player with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1938, Curfman coached at the high school level in Texas and New Mexico, at Tulia, Santa Rosa, and Las Cruces.

He resigned in December to work in the sporting goods industry in Texas, then joined the staff of third-year head coach Dixie Howell at Idaho in February 1949.

The administration was impressed with his handling of the team during the first week of practice and hired him as head coach in mid-April.

[7] Curfman made headlines during the 1953 season as his overmatched Vandals struggled in conference play in the PCC.

[8] Following his resignation as Idaho head coach in December,[9][10][11] he was hired as the business manager for the Spokane Indians minor league baseball team in January 1954.