Jordan Kovacs

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Jordan Kovacs
refer to caption
Kovacs with the Miami Dolphins in 2014
Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Secondary/safeties coach
Personal information
Born: (1990-06-12) June 12, 1990 (age 33)
Curtice, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Oregon (OH) Clay
College:Michigan
Undrafted:2013
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • 2009 Freshman All-America (CFN 2nd team)
  • 2009 Freshman All-Big Ten (
    TSN
    )
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:
0
Player stats at NFL.com

Jordan David Kovacs (born June 12, 1990) is a former

undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football at Michigan
.

He was a

Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten honors for the 2009 Wolverines while being the second-leading tackler on the team. Granted a scholarship by the 2010 team for his second year, he was the second-leading tackler in the Big Ten Conference and was selected as a 2010 All-Conference honorable mention. He was also a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention for the 2011 team. He served the 2012 team as captain and was also a 2012 All-Big Ten
second team selection and a 2012 Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Background

Kovacs, a

4x400 meter relay. He was a three-year letterman in football, where he earned All-Ohio academic honors and All-district honors as both a wide receiver and defensive back.[2]

He was not recruited by any

Hillsdale and Toledo (a school 13 miles from his high school).[3] By the time he completed his college applications, even Hillsdale had lost interest in him.[3] His father placed a call to Michigan Director of Football Operations Brad Labadie after Jordan was wait listed and got him to agree to review a homemade highlight reel.[3] As his graduation neared, Kovacs shook hands with Andy Boyd, a Toledo coach, on a preferred walk-on spot.[3] That same afternoon in June 2008, Labadie called to confirm that Kovacs had been admitted from the wait list.[3] The admission came without an athletic scholarship.[4] Labadie encouraged Jordan to attend walk-on tryouts.[3]

College career

Redshirt (2008)

Kovacs in 2012 at Michigan Stadium.

Kovacs initially passed the walk-on tryouts, but he had to pass the physical with Paul "Schmidty" Schmidt, who had been a trainer since Jordan's father Lou had played and been on the coaching staff at Michigan.[3] He had had surgery to repair cartilage damage in high school, but that did not alleviate his problems.[4] When Jordan responded yes to a question about whether he had had any surgeries in the prior 12 months, it triggered a line of questioning about his senior season meniscus surgery.[3] He did not make the 2008 Wolverines due to a knee problem, but was advised to try out again after his knee healed.[5] After discovering a torn meniscus, he had a second knee surgery, which was successful.[1] He attended every game that season in his family's season ticket section.[3]

Freshman (2009)

In 2009, he was one of the most highly regarded walk-ons in the nation,

Rudy Award candidate.[2]

Sophomore (2010)

Kovacs earned a

Michigan – Ohio State football rivalry game, Kovacs recorded his second interception of the season and third of his career as part of a 17-tackle effort.[12] He collected a career-best 41 return yards following the interception.[16] In The Game, Kovacs tied a career-high with 17 total tackles including a new career-high 9 solo tackles.[12] Kovacs ended the 2010 Big Ten Conference football season ranked second in the conference to teammate Jonas Mouton in total tackles.[17][18] However, he led the team in solo tackles.[18][19] Following the Big Ten Conference season, he was selected as an honorable mention All-Conference selection by the media.[20][21][22]

Junior (2011)

When Brady Hoke took over as Michigan head coach for the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Kovacs impressed him quickly.[23] Kovacs was one of the first five players named as a starter for the 2011 team.[24] In the September 3, 2011 season opener against Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium, Kovacs forced a fumble that was recovered and advanced for a touchdown.[25] Although the game was ended by mutual agreement in the third quarter due to inclement weather,[26] Kovacs recorded 10 tackles, including two sacks.[12][27][28] He was named the Lott Trophy impact player of the week.[29][30] At first, the stats for the game were considered official by the Big Ten Conference and the University of Michigan, but the NCAA has vacated the statistics for this game because three quarters were not completed.[31] However, at the conclusion of the regular season, the NCAA reversed course and ruled that since the game is counting for win–loss record, the statistics will be counted by the NCAA.[32] On September 10, against Notre Dame, during the first night game ever played at Michigan Stadium, he tallied an interception,[33] and eight tackles. When it became evident that the defense had improved markedly from the prior season, he and fellow safety Thomas Gordon were credited as being the "leaders of the defense".[34] On October 8, against Northwestern, Kovacs posted two solo tackles for a loss,[35] both on fourth down.[36] Kovacs suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the October 29 game against Purdue. Kovacs had been one of twenty quarterfinalists for the Lott impact player of the year.[37] Kovacs was named as one of 10 semifinalists for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy on November 22.[38] Following the 2011 Big Ten Conference football season, he earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition from the media and was selected as the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient for the Michigan program.[39][40] Kovacs earned 2011 Fall Academic All-Big Ten recognition along with 10 teammates.[41] In the January 3, 2012 Sugar Bowl 23–20 overtime victory against Virginia Tech, he led the team with 11 tackles.[42] Kovacs finished among the conference leaders in several statistics: sacks/game (.33, 17th), tackles/game (6.2, 30th) and fumbles forced/game (.17, t-9th).[43]

Senior (2012)

Kovacs was elected team captain.[44] He was selected to the preseason watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player).[45] At a ceremony on November 10, Kovacs' jersey number was changed from 32 to the previously retired number 11 which was recirculated as a "Michigan Football Legend" jersey in honor of Francis ("Whitey), Albert and Alvin Wistert.[46] He was interviewed as part of a 13-minute segment that appeared on the edition of November 18 of 60 Minutes about the business of college football.[47][48][49] Kovacs was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and an honorable mention selection by the media.[50][51] On November 27, he was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.[52] At the December 3 team banquet, Kovacs earned team MVP for the season.[53] He earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in 2012.[54] Following the season, he participated in the February 2, 2013 Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Bowl.[55]

Professional career

Kovacs with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016

Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles

Kovacs signed an undrafted free agent contract with the

2013 NFL Draft.[56] Kovacs was assigned to the Dolphins' practice squad to start the 2013 NFL season.[57] Kovacs was promoted to the 53-man roster in week 5 of 2013.[58] Kovacs had a tackle in his debut against the Baltimore Ravens on October 6.[59]

He was released at the end of training camp in 2014.[60] He was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on October 6.[61][62] On November 4, he was signed off the Eagles practice squad by the Dolphins, and was placed on the active 53 man roster.[63] He had seven tackles over the course of the season, including 5 in December 28 week 17 contest against the New York Jets.[64]

On October 18, 2015, Kovacs recorded his first sack against Zach Mettenberger of the Tennessee Titans.[65][66] Towards the end of the season he was expected to be released by the Miami Dolphins with the expectation that he would be placed on the practice squad once he cleared waivers.[67]

Kansas City Chiefs

Following the 2015 season, he was signed to a futures contract by the Kansas City Chiefs.[68] On May 10, 2016, he was released.[69]

Los Angeles Rams

On August 5, 2016, Kovacs signed with the Los Angeles Rams.[70] On September 3, 2016, he was waived by the Rams as part of final roster cuts.[71]

Coaching career

Michigan

In 2017, Kovacs joined the Michigan Wolverines staff in a role assisting the team's defensive and special teams coaches.[72]

Cincinnati Bengals

On February 28, 2019, he joined the

Washington Football Team, he assumed safeties coach duties after Robert Livingston missed the game for COVID-19 protocols.[75]

On February 8, 2024, he was promoted to secondary/safeties coach.[76]

Personal life

His father Louis, who was a walk-on for Michigan coach Bo Schembechler,[77] lettered for the 1982 Michigan Wolverines football team.[2] He subsequently served two seasons as a graduate assistant for Schembechler.[3] Lou is married to Susan Kovacs.[3] Jordan wears #32, the reverse of his father's #23.[7] Kovacs has three siblings, Aaron, Kayla, and Morgan. His older brother Aaron played his freshman season for the 2007 Toledo Rockets.[3] His family regularly brought him to watch Michigan home games when he was growing up. The family regularly sat in Section 27 of Michigan Stadium, on the north side of the press box. During Jordan's playing career at Michigan, the family sat underneath the scoreboard.[77] The first Michigan game Kovacs watched was Lloyd Carr's first game as coach of Michigan Wolverines football for the 1995 Wolverines, which was a memorable 18-point comeback against Virginia.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "Jordan Kovacs Tells His Story". GoBlueWolverine. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  2. ^
    CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
    on November 1, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Jennings, Chantel (September 15, 2011). "Former walk-on walks tall for U-M: Safety Jordan Kovacs has had more on-field success than he could have imagined". ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  4. ^
    CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
    on September 22, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  5. ^ Evans, Thayer (September 13, 2009). "Playing Time for a Walk-On". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Walk-ons Go From No Stars To Shining Stars". Rivals.com. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  7. ^ a b Chengelis, Angelique S. (September 9, 2011). "U-M's starting safety Jordan Kovacs never lost walk-on edge". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 9, 2011. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Jordan Kovacs #32 S (2009 game log)". ESPN. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  9. ^ "2009 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan /Bentley Historical Library. March 26, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  10. ^ Arnold, Jeff (September 22, 2010). "Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs is more comfortable, sees defensive improvements coming". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  11. ^ "Michigan 28 (2-0, 1-0 away); Notre Dame 24 (1-1, 1-1 home)". ESPN. September 11, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Team: Michigan - Year: 2011 Thru 09/03/11 - Player: Jordan Kovacs - Uniform #: 32 Position: DB Class: JR". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  13. ^ "Michigan (5 - 3)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  14. ^ "Nominees Announced for Inaugural Burlsworth Trophy". Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. November 18, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  15. ^ "Big Ten Player Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. November 20, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  16. ^ "Michigan 7 (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten); (8) Ohio St 37 (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten)". ESPN. November 27, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  17. CBS Interactive. January 7, 2010. Archived from the original
    on September 11, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Big Ten Player Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  19. ^ Raftery, Kevin (September 6, 2011). "Former walk-on Kovacs continues to be one of Michigan's best weapons". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  20. ^ Bigelow, Pete (November 29, 2010). "Michigan's Denard Robinson named Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year, other Wolverines honored". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  21. CBS Interactive. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original
    on December 22, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  22. CBS Interactive. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original
    on December 1, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  23. ^ Meinke, Kyle (August 24, 2011). "Walk-on Nathan Brink is true contender for starting job on Michigan's defensive line". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  24. ^ Meinke, Kyle (August 20, 2011). "OPINION: 3 things sure to be on Brady Hoke's mind during today's closed Michigan football scrimmage". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  25. ^ "Michigan beats Western Michigan after game called in 3rd quarter". ESPN. September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  26. ^ "Storm forces Michigan to end game". ESPN. September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  27. CBS Interactive. September 3, 2011. Archived from the original
    on October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  28. ^ "Box Score (Final): The Automated ScoreBook: Western Michigan vs MICH (Sep 03, 2011 at Ann Arbor, MI)" (PDF). CSTV.com. September 3, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  29. CBS Interactive. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original
    on August 25, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  30. ^ "Michigan's Kovacs Named Lott IMPACT Player of the Week". Lott Trophy. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  31. ^ Bennett, Brian (September 10, 2011). "NCAA won't count rain-shortened stats". ESPN. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  32. ^ Rothstein, Michael (November 30, 2011). "Stats from storm-shortened game count". ESPN. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  33. ^ Cunningham, Pete (September 11, 2011). "notebook: Michigan's defense continues to win the turnover battle and more notes from Saturday's win over Notre Dame". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  34. ^ Meinke, Kyle (September 30, 2011). "Grading Michigan's nonconference performance: Safeties earn high marks for 4-0 start". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  35. CBS Interactive. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original
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  36. CSTV.com. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on December 15, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  37. ^ "Michigan's Jordan Kovacs injured". ESPN. October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  38. CBS Interactive. November 22, 2011. Archived from the original
    on November 27, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  39. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original
    on December 1, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  40. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original
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  41. CBS Interactive
    . December 7, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  42. ^ "Individual Statistics (Final): 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl: #13 Michigan vs #11 Virginia Tech (Jan. 3, 2012 at New Orleans, La.)" (PDF). AllStateSugarBowl.org. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  43. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
    on December 3, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  44. CBS Interactive. August 26, 2012. Archived from the original
    on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  45. ^ "Kovacs, Lewan Selected to 2012 Award Watch Lists". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  46. CBS Interactive. November 10, 2012. Archived from the original
    on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  47. CBS Interactive. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original
    on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  48. ^ Heflin, Cindy (November 18, 2012). "'60 Minutes' segment featuring U-M football in Ann Arbor airs Sunday night". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  49. Toledo Blade. Archived from the original
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  50. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original
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  51. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original
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  52. ^ "Kovacs Named Finalist for Burlsworth Trophy". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 27, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  53. CBS Interactive. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original
    on December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  54. CBS Interactive. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on February 1, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  55. ^ Meinke, Kyle. "Roy Roundtree among 3 Michigan players who win all-star games". MLiver.com. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  56. ^ Meinke, Kyle (April 27, 2013). "Michigan captain Jordan Kovacs to sign with Miami Dolphins (includes all Michigan signees)". MLive.com. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  57. ^ Beasley, Adam H. (September 2, 2013). "Two rookie corners miss practice for Miami Dolphins; top pick Dion Jordan returns". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  58. ^ Beasley, Adam H. (October 6, 2013). "Miami Dolphins stew over Saints loss, but schedule should lighten up: A lingering anger has permeated through the Dolphins over their loss to the Saints, showing a change in attitude that could help Sunday". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  59. ^ "Ravens 26 (3-2, 1-2 away); Dolphins 23 (3-2, 1-1 home)". ESPN. October 6, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  60. ^ Walansky, Larry (August 31, 2014). "Dolphins Make Final Round of Cuts: The Dolphins on Saturday will submit their final roster for the start of the regular season". WTVJ. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  61. ^ "Eagles winning despite deficiencies". ESPN. Associated Press. October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  62. ^ "Eagles Sign Kovacs To Practice Squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. October 6, 2014. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  63. ^ Poupart, Alain (November 4, 2014). "NOTEBOOK: Kovacs Enjoyed The Journey Back To The Dolphins; Other Notes". Dolphins.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  64. ^ "Jets 37 (4-12, 2-6 away); Dolphins 24 (8-8, 4-4 home)". ESPN. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  65. ^ "Dolphins rout Titans in Dan Campbell's coaching debut". ESPN. October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  66. ^ Perkins, Chris (October 18, 2015). "Cam Wake silences critics with four sacks of Marcus Mariota". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  67. FOX Sports
    . December 8, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  68. ^ Thorman, Joel (January 6, 2016). "Kansas City Chiefs sign Alameda Ta'amu, Kenny Cook and four others". SB Nation. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  69. ^ "Chiefs swap DBs, offensive linemen after rookie minicamp". Washington Post. Retrieved May 10, 2016.[dead link]
  70. ^ Klein, Gary (August 5, 2016). "Jared Goff, Case Keenum duel before Saturday's Coliseum practice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  71. ^ "Rams Make 53-Man Roster Decisions". TheRams.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017.
  72. ^ Baumgardner, Nick (March 28, 2017). "Former Michigan standout Jordan Kovacs returns to work with football program". www.mlive.com. MLive. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  73. ^ "Bengals Hire Six Assistant Coaches". Bengals.com. February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  74. ^ Hobson, Geoff (November 15, 2020). "Three Bengals Defensive Coaches Ruled Out For Covid-Related Issues". Bengals.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  75. ^ Baby, Ben (November 20, 2020). "Cincinnati Bengals to be without 3 position coaches due to COVID-19 reasons". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  76. ^ "Bengals Hire Justin Rascati as Pass Game Coordinator, Promote Kragthorpe and Kovacs to Position Coaches". Bengals.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  77. ^
    Toledo Blade
    . Retrieved December 8, 2010.

External links

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