Bill McGovern (American football)

Bill McGovern
refer to caption
McGovern at College of the Holy Cross c. 1985
Personal information
Born:(1962-12-31)December 31, 1962
Oradell, New Jersey, U.S.
Died:May 30, 2023(2023-05-30) (aged 60)
California, U.S.
Career information
High school:Bergen Catholic (Oradell)
College:Holy Cross
Undrafted:1985
Career history
As a coach:
  • Penn (1985)
    Freshman coach
  • Holy Cross (1986–1987)
    Assistant defensive backs coach
  • UMass (1988–1990)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Holy Cross (1991–1992)
    Defensive backs coach/kickers coach
  • UMass (1993)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Boston College (1994–1996)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Pittsburgh (1997–1999)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Boston College (2000–2008)
    Linebackers coach
  • Boston College (2009–2012)
    Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
  • Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015)
    Outside linebackers coach
  • New York Giants (2016–2018)
    Linebackers coach
  • New York Giants (2019)
    Inside linebackers coach
  • Nebraska (2020)
    Defensive assistant
  • Chicago Bears (2021)
    Inside linebackers coach
  • UCLA (2022)
    Defensive coordinator
  • UCLA (2023)
    Director of football administration

William E. McGovern (December 31, 1962 – May 30, 2023) was an American college and professional football coach. A defensive coach for almost 40 years, his longest stint was with Boston College, serving 13 years from 2000 to 2012 as their linebackers coach and later as defensive coordinator. He was also a linebackers coach for eight years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears.

McGovern played as a defensive back in college for the Holy Cross Crusaders. He set NCAA Division I-AA career and single-season records for interceptions and was named an All-American.