Bill McGovern

Bill McGovern is in his first season as a defensive analyst at Nebraska. McGovern, who is in his 36th season of coaching, spent the previous seven seasons as an NFL linebackers coach. He boasts previous experience as a defensive coordinator at both Boston College and Massachusetts. 

In his 20th season coaching defense at a Power Five program, McGovern is also familiar with several members of the Huskers’ coaching staff. He coached with outside linebackers coach Mike Dawson with the Giants (2019) and Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) in the NFL and in the collegiate ranks at Pittsburgh (1999) and Boston College (2009-11). McGovern also served on the same defensive staff with Husker defensive coordinator Erik Chinander with Philadelphia in 2013, and he spent three seasons on the Eagles' staff with NU offensive line coach Greg Austin (2013-15).

Before coming to Nebraska, McGovern spent the previous four seasons as an assistant with the New York Giants from 2016 to 2019. He coached linebackers in his first three seasons on the staff and focused on the inside linebackers in 2019. In 2018, McGovern helped Alec Ogletree lead all NFL linebackers with five interceptions, tying the franchise record. 

McGovern spent three seasons on the Philadelphia staff from 2013 to 2015, helping the Eagles to the 2013 NFC East title. With Philadelphia, McGovern helped All-Pro Connor Barwin lead the NFC with 14.5 sacks.

McGovern entered the NFL ranks after more than two decades as a collegiate assistant. He spent 13 seasons at Boston College from 2000 to 2012, serving as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in his final four seasons. McGovern coached two ACC Defensive Players of the Year at Boston College, including Luke Kuechly, who was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro during his eight-year NFL career. As coordinator, McGovern helped Boston College lead the nation in rushing defense (82.8), rank 13th nationally in total defense (309.7) and 19th in scoring defense (19.5) in 2010. In his first season as defensive coordinator in 2009, the Eagles ranked 14th nationally in rush defense (103.2) and 19th in scoring defense. 

From 1997 to 1999, McGovern was a defensive backs coach at Pittsburgh, and he coached the same position in his first stint at Boston College from 1994 to 1996. McGovern moved up to the FBS ranks after spending the first eight years of his career coaching at the FCS level. He spent a total of seven season as Massachusetts, serving as defensive coordinator in 1992 and 1993 and as defensive backs coach from 1987 to 1990. McGovern also coached two years at Holy Cross, his alma mater, coaching defensive backs in 1986 and 1991, when the Crusaders went 11-0. He got his start in coaching as the freshman coach at Pennsylvania in 1985.

As a player, McGovern was a four-year starter at Holy Cross. A consensus All-American as a senior, he ended his career with FCS records for interceptions in a season (11) and career (24). He is a member of the Holy Cross Hall of Fame and the school’s Ring of Honor.

McGovern and his wife, Colleen, have three daughters, Amanda, Delainey and Mackenzie.

Coaching Experience
2020: Nebraska, Defensive Analyst
2019: New York Giants, Assistant Coach (Inside Linebackers)
2016-18: New York Giants, Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
2013-15: Philadelphia Eagles, Assistant Coach (Outside Linebackers)
2009-12: Boston College, Defensive Coordinator (Linebackers)
2000-08: Boston College, Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
1997-99: Pittsburgh, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1994-96: Boston College, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1992-93: Massachusetts, Defensive Coordinator
1991: Holy Cross, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1987-90: Massachusetts, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1986: Holy Cross, Assistant Coach (Assistant Defensive Backs)
1985: Pennsylvania, Freshman Coach