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The Bergen Catholic graduate spent Sundays as a kid rooting for the New York Giants with his seven brothers and sisters. At 53, McGovern finds himself back in Oradell rooting for Big Blue -- but this time as the team's new linebackers coach.
"I grew up a fan, so there's a lot that goes with coming back to be part of the organization," said McGovern, who has taken up residence in his childhood home until his family can find a new one of their own. "I'm excited to be back home and anxious to start working with the players."
McGovern was a star defensive back at Bergen Catholic under legendary coach Tony Karcich in the late seventies and early eighties. After a successful college career at Holy Cross, he worked his way up the coaching ladder.
Before joining Ben McAdoo's staff in January, McGovern spent three years coaching linebackers under Chip Kelly with the Eagles.
McGovern told Daily Voice he picked up coaching advice from everybody he has ever worked for, but nobody had a bigger impact on him than Karcich.
"Tony was the guy who just instilled a passion for the game in me," said McGovern, who still talks with his mentor regularly. "I saw the passion he had when he stepped on the field and how he dealt with people and it has really struck a chord with me throughout my coaching career."
Another influence on McGovern was Doug Parcells, the brother of former New York Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells, who served as director of the Oradell Recreation Department for 40 years.
"Coach Parcells is famous around the Giants, but Dougie is more famous in Oradell," McGovern said.
McGovern's family has a long legacy at Bergen Catholic. His parents, Howard and Terry, are enshrined in the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame. Six McGovern children played football for the Crusaders, and McGovern's brother, Jack, currently serves as athletic director.
McGovern said he hopes to return to the high school soon, but right now he has important work to do.
"The high school is kind of ingrained in our family as a very special place," McGovern told Daily Voice. "I'm swamped right now trying to prepare but when things settle down I will definitely go catch up."
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