Jordan Kovacs, a former safety for the Michigan Wolverines, was elevated to the Cincinnati Bengals’ secondary coach position. Born and raised in Ohio, Kovacs is starting his sixth season with the Bengals, having served as an assistant linebackers coach for the previous two.
It’s interesting to note that Cincinnati is using a secondary that is dominated by Wolverines. The Bengals, who had previously started Daxton Hill at safety and D.J. Turner at cornerback, have added a former Michigan safety to their coaching staff.
Kovacs walked on to the Michigan football team in 2009 and contributed instantly. He recorded 75 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one interception. He would play 12 or more games in each of his four years on the team and finish his career as a captain with a total of 334 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and five interceptions. Kovacs was voted second-team all-Big Ten following his senior campaign.
Unfortunately, Kovacs was not taken in the 2013 NFL draft but was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins. He spent a year in South Florida before bouncing around the NFL for four seasons with the Eagles, Chiefs, Rams, and Dolphins (again). Kovacs had one sack and eleven tackles.
Kovacs was offered a staff position by the Wolverines in 2017 when his playing career came to an end. He spent two seasons there before leaving for the NFL before the 2019 season. Prior to being elevated to assistant linebackers coach in 2021, where he served for two more seasons, Kovacs was a defensive quality control coach.
The former walk-on will now be responsible for managing his own position group. and another packed with former Wolverines. Maybe in the forthcoming 2024 NFL draft, the front staff will decide to provide Kovacs additional Michigan support by selecting nickel cornerback Mike Sainristil.
