Michael John Trgovac (/ˈtɜːrɡəvæk/ TUR-gə-vak; born February 27, 1959)[1] is an American football coach and a former player. He previously served as the defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. Trgovac was a member of the Packers' coaching staff that led the team to the NFL championship in Super Bowl XLV in 2011. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Trgovac played college football as a middle guard for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980. He received All-Big Ten Conference honors in both 1979 and 1980. After graduating from Michigan, Trgovac held various college coaching positions from 1984 to 1994.
 Trgovac in 2013 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | February 27, 1959 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Austintown (OH) Fitch |
| College: | Michigan |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Record at Pro Football Reference | |
Early years
editTrgovac was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1958.[2] He became an all-state defensive lineman at Fitch High School in Austintown, Ohio. He was named defensive lineman of the year in 1976 and also won the state wrestling title. He is of Croatian ancestry and his surname means "Trader" in the Croatian language.
Playing career
editTrgovac enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1977 and played college football at the middle guard position for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1977 to 1980. As a sophomore in 1978, he started six games for the Wolverines and received the John F. Maulbetsch Award (presented to a football underclassman for desire, character, capacity for leadership and future success both on and off the football field).[3]
As a junior, Trgovac started 11 games at middle guard for the 1979 Michigan team, won the Frederick Matthei Award, and was selected as a first-team player on the 1979 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[4]
As a senior, Trgovac again started 11 of 12 games at middle guard for the 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10-2 record, finished #4 in the AP and UPI polls, and outscored opponents 322 to 129.[5] Trgovac was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten player for the second consecutive year.[5]
Coaching career
editCollege
editFollowing his graduation from Michigan, Trgovac became a graduate assistant under Schembechler in the 1984 and 1985 seasons with fellow GAs Cam Cameron and Bill Sheridan. From 1986 to 1988 he coached the defensive line at Ball State. Following a one-year stint with Navy, he joined former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce's staff at Colorado State as defensive line coach. He ended his college coaching career with three seasons on Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame.[1]
Philadelphia Eagles
editTrgovac served as the defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to 1998. In 1998, the Eagles finished third in the NFL in sack percentage and first overall against the pass. Trgovac's 1995 line recorded an NFL-best 42.5 sacks.
Green Bay Packers
editTrgovac was hired as a defensive line coach by the Green Bay Packers. He only spent one season with them.
Washington Redskins
editIn 2000, Trgovac was hired by the Washington Redskins. He served as their defensive line coach for two seasons. He helped guide a Redskins defense that ranked fourth in the NFL and first in the NFC in 2000.
Carolina Panthers
editFollowing the 2001 season, Trgovac joined the Carolina Panthers. He was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2003 season. Since Trgovac joined Carolina in 2002, the Panthers rank fifth in total yards allowed, trailing only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. They were also sixth in first downs allowed and rushing yards allowed per attempt, ninth in rushing yards allowed per game and 10th in third down efficiency. After turning down a contract offer from the Panthers, Trgovac informed Head Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney that he was leaving the team.[6]
Return to Green Bay
editIn 2009, Trgovac returned to the Green Bay Packers as their defensive line coach. He was let go along with several other Green Bay defensive assistants following the 2017 season.[7]
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders
editOn January 18, 2018, Trgovac was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their defensive line coach. In January 2019, it was announced that he had been replaced by Brentson Buckner. Subsequently, Trgovac became the Raiders' senior defensive assistant.
References
edit- ^ a b "Mike Trgovac". Green Bay Packers. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ^ Ancestry.com. Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1964 [database on-line].
- ^ "1978 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ "1979 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "1980 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ Panthers defensive boss bolts team[dead link]. Retrieved on January 22, 2009.
- ^ Packers gave coach Mike McCarthy 1-year extension during the season. ESPN. Retrieved on January 2, 2018.
External links
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Media related to Mike Trgovac at Wikimedia Commons
