UCLA DC McGovern passes away after cancer medical diagnosis

• Paolo Uggetti, ESPNMay 30, 2023, 03:15 PM ET

Longtime college and NFL protective coach Expense McGovern, who worked as UCLA’s defensive coordinator last season, died after being identified with cancer, the school announced Tuesday. He was 60.

“Early this morning we said goodbye to our cherished daddy and husband Costs after his long and challenging fight with cancer pertained to an end,” the McGovern household said in a declaration launched by the school. “We would like to thank the whole UCLA neighborhood for all of the love and support you offered to Bill and our whole family throughout this really hard struggle”

McGovern, who was an All-America defensive back at Holy Cross in the 1980s, was hired by Bruins head coach Chip Kelly in February 2022. Previously this year, McGovern stepped back from coaching tasks and handled a different function as director of football administration due to his declining health. UCLA employed D’Anton Lynn to change him as protective planner.

“It was the honor of Bill’s training career to be the protective organizer for the UCLA Bruins and this previous season was among the highlights of Expense’s coaching career,” the McGovern household stated in their statement. “We might not have made it through this past year without the love and prayers of our UCLA family. The McGovern family is so grateful and grateful to all of you for your assistance during this hard time and we will be indebted to you all forever.”

Prior to joining Kelly’s staff in Westwood, McGovern had actually spent a year as the inside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears. In total, McGovern accrued nine years of NFL coaching experience as a linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2015 and the New York City Giants from 2016 to 2019.

The majority of McGovern’s experience, nevertheless, was available in the college ranks. His longest stint was at Boston College, where he worked as the defensive backs coach from 1994 to 1996, the linebackers coach from 2000 to 2008 and then the defensive organizer from 2009 to 2012. During his time at the program, McGovern coached players such as Mark Herzlich, Luke Kuechly, B.J. Raji and Brian Flores.McGovern also had

coaching stints at his university Holy Cross, UMass, Pittsburgh and, most just recently, as Nebraska’s protective assistant in 2020. He is currently noted on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame.McGovern is survived by his better half, Colleen, and daughters Amanda, Delainey and Mackenzie.