Mike Trgovac

Michael Trgovac (born 1959) is the defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers and the former defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Born near Youngstown, Ohio, Trgovac was an All-American middle guard at the University of Michigan before starting his NFL coaching career.^[1]

Playing and college coaching

Trgovac was 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. As a player under Bo Schembechler at Michigan from 1977–80, Trgovac started three years at middle guard and was second-team All-America as a senior. He earned All-Big Ten honors twice and played in three Rose Bowls. Following his graduation from Michigan, Trgovac became a graduate assistant under Schembechler in the 1984 and '85 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. Trgovac also has a family. A wife Angela and two children. Jordan, a girl and Michael, a boy.

NFL coach

Trgovac served as the defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995-1998. 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. He spent the 1999 season with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Washington Redskins for two seasons. He helped guide a Redskins defense that ranked fourth in the NFL and first in the NFC in 2000.

Following 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 Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Denver. They are 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.^[2] He soon joined the Green Bay Packers as a defensive line coach.

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