Bill McGovern, a veteran college football and NFL coach whose career spanned nearly four decades, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, UCLA announced. He was 60.
McGovern was most recently UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2022 before moving into an off-the-field role earlier this year.
Prior to UCLA, he spent time as an assistant with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as at Nebraska. McGovern was also DC at Boston College and the University of Massachusetts.
“Early this morning we said goodbye to our beloved father and husband Bill after his long and difficult battle with cancer came to an end and today, we would like to thank the entire UCLA community for all of the love and support you gave to Bill and our entire family during this very difficult struggle,” McGovern’s family said in a statement released through UCLA.
“In particular, the McGovern family would like to thank UCLA head football coach Chip Kelly and his wife Jill as well as all of the players, coaches, trainers, and support staff of the UCLA football program and their families. It was the honor of Bill’s coaching career to be the defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins and this past season was one of the highlights of Bill’s coaching career. We are so thankful for…
