Harbaugh Names Zordich Secondary Coach
1/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
• Kornacki: Responsibility, Chemistry, Trust Key for Secondary Coach Zordich
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former NFL veteran and college assistant coach Michael Zordich has been named a secondary coach for the University of Michigan football program, announced Tuesday (Jan. 20) by head coach Jim Harbaugh. Zordich was the co-special teams coordinator and safeties coach for Youngstown State University in 2014.
"Michael is a proven secondary coach the has had success at the pro and collegiate levels," said Harbaugh, the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. "After an All-American career at Penn State and a 12-year career in the NFL, Michael knows what it takes to be an elite defensive back. Players that hope to play at the next level will benefit from Michael's teaching and knowledge of the game."
"I am thrilled to join the University of Michigan and work with the players and staff that strive to live up to this program's great tradition,"Zordich said. "I can already tell there are quality young men in this program, and I look forward to building lifelong relationships with the student-athletes I will mentor. It is great to be in Ann Arbor, and it is a privilege to work alongside Coach Harbaugh and this tremendous coaching staff."
Prior to joining the YSU staff, Zordich spent four seasons working with the defense for the Philadelphia Eagles (2009-12). He was the safeties coach during the 2011 and 2012 seasons after working as a quality control coach on defense in 2009 and 2010.
A Youngstown native, Zordich worked with the safeties at Youngstown State in the spring of 2009 before accepting a position with the Eagles. He also coached on the high school level as an assistant at Chaney High School and Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Zordich played five seasons each with the Philadelphia Eagles (1994-98) and Arizona Cardinals (1989-93) and two seasons with the New York Jets (1987-88). He retired from the NFL following the 1998 season, having posted 125 starts in 185 games. Zordich collected nearly 600 tackles, 20 interceptions and scored four defensive touchdowns; he returned three picks for scores and returned one fumble for a touchdown. Zordich also collected six sacks, forced six fumbles and recovered 11 fumbles during his career. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 1986 draft by the San Diego Chargers.
Zordich was an All-America safety and team captain for Penn State. He posted 60 tackles and had an interception return for a TD against Maryland during his All-America season in 1985. For his career, Zordich posted 201 career tackles. He graduated from Penn State with a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management in 1986.
Zordich and his wife, Cynthia, have two sons, Michael and Alex, and a daughter, Aidan. Michael is a fullback with the Carolina Panthers. Alex played quarterback at Buffalo, and Aidan is a senior at Penn State.
Communications Contacts: David Ablauf, Zach Eisendrath (734) 763-4423
