Bill McGovern '85, an All-American defensive back for the Holy Cross football team and a member of the Varsity Club Hall of Fame, returns to the 2026 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame, as announced this week by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame.

McGovern was a four-year starter for the Crusaders at free safety during the early 1980s. He helped lead the team to an overall record of 31-13-1 during his four years, with Holy Cross claiming the Lambert Cup and making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1983. McGovern earned first team All-America honors as a senior, in addition to being named All-New England once and All-ECAC twice. 

As a senior captain in 1984, he set a school single-season record and led the nation with 11 interceptions. McGovern would finish his career with 24 total interceptions, which was tied for the most in Division I-AA history at the time, in addition to totaling 225 tackles and 25 pass breakups.

Following his playing career, the late McGovern went on to enjoy a nearly 40-year coaching career, most recently serving as UCLA's defensive coordinator prior to his passing in May 2023. Prior to his time at UCLA, McGovern spent time at the professional level with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He additionally served as a defensive coordinator with Boston College and the University of Massachusetts. His coaching career began at Penn before McGovern joined the Holy Cross staff in 1986, working with the Crusaders from 1986-87 and again from 1991-92. 

McGovern was inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1996 and into the Holy Cross Football Ring of Honor alongside his brother, Rob, in 2018.

The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026. 

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