John Lovett (football coach)
Encyclopedia
John Lovett is a college football
coach. He is currently in his first year as the defensive coordinator
of the University of Miami
Hurricanes
.
Lovett has coached in nine bowl games: the 1997 Motor City Bowl, 1998 Independence Bowl, 2000 Citrus Bowl
, 2001 Peach Bowl
, 2002 Tangerine Bowl
, 2004 Peach Bowl
, 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl
, 2009 Champs Sports Bowl
and the 2010 Sun Bowl
.
. At the completion of his career, Lovett enrolled in graduate school at the University of Denver
, earning his Master's Degree in 1975.
in 1976. After two seasons as a prep school coach, he took his first collegiate coaching position as an assistant at Union College
in 1978, where he was paid only $500 per year. In 1983, Lovett spent a season in the Ivy League at Brown University
before moving back to New York to work under Joe Walton
as the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets
of the National Football League
in 1984.
as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the University of Maine
Black Bears
. In 1987, Tim Murphy
took over as head coach and the team went on to win the conference championship and qualified for the Division I-AA playoffs.
When Murphy was hired as the new head coach of Cincinnati
in 1989, Lovett joined him as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bearcats
. He stayed at the school until 1993, when he was hired as the secondary coach for the UNLV Rebels
.
In 1994, head coach Jack Cosgrove
brought Lovett back to Maine to again serve as the school's defensive coordinator. Cosgrove had work alongside Lovett when he was offensive coordinator of the Black Bears before being named the head coach.
's staff at Ole Miss
to coach the secondary. Four seasons later when Tuberville took the head coaching position at Auburn
, Lovett followed him to the school, where he was named the defensive coordinator. Tuberville fired Lovett following the 2001 season
.
to serve as the defensive coordinator at Clemson
from 2002–04, where he helped develop one of the ACC
's top defenses. In 2004, Clemson was 11th in the nation in pass defense efficiency (103.4) and 26th in total defense (327.3 yds/g). In 2003, his defense allowed just 19.2 points per game as Clemson finished the year with nine wins and a top 25 national ranking.
, Lovett's defense ranked 20th in the country in turnover margin.
, where the kickoff coverage unit ranked among the nation's top 15 and the Tar Heels
blocked six kicks in 2008. He coached the NCAA all-time leader in combined kick return yards in Brandon Tate
, who also established the ACC career mark for kickoff return yards.
as the new defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach. He is currently in his first year as the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
.
Lovett has coached in nine bowl games: the 1997 Motor City Bowl, 1998 Independence Bowl, 2000 Citrus Bowl
2000 Citrus Bowl
The 2000 Citrus Bowl was a college football bowl game following the 1999-2000 football season. The game matched the Michigan State against the Florida Gators....
, 2001 Peach Bowl
2001 Peach Bowl
The 2001 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Auburn Tigers.North Carolina scored on a 10 yard Willie Parker touchdown run, as UNC led 7-0 after 1 quarter of play. In the second quarter, Jeff Reed kicked a 22 yard field goal, extending North Carolina's lead to 10-0...
, 2002 Tangerine Bowl
2002 Tangerine Bowl
The 2002 Tangerine Bowl was the 13th edition of the college football bowl game. It was played on December 23, 2002, and featured the Clemson Tigers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech's 40 point margin of victory is still a bowl game record....
, 2004 Peach Bowl
2004 Peach Bowl (January)
The 2004 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the Clemson Tigers, and the Tennessee Volunteers.Clemson scored first on an 8 yard touchdown run from Duane Coleman, giving Clemson a 7–0 lead. Aaron Hunt kicked a 23 yard field goal giving Clemson a 10–0 lead...
, 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl
2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl was the seventh edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game started at 1:00 PM US EST on Saturday, December 27, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the North Carolina Tar Heels...
, 2009 Champs Sports Bowl
2009 Champs Sports Bowl
The 2009 Champs Sports Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers of the Big Ten Conference and the Miami Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, the game started at 8:00 PM US EST on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 and was...
and the 2010 Sun Bowl
2010 Sun Bowl
The 2010 Hyundai Sun Bowl game was the 77th edition of the annual college football bowl game known as the Sun Bowl. It was played on December 31, 2010 between the Miami Hurricanes from the ACC and the independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in a revival of a long-dormant rivalry. CBS television...
.
Playing career
Lovett graduated from C.W. Post College in December 1973 and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in fall 2008. Joining the team as a walk-on linebacker, Lovett quickly earned a scholarship and served as the team's co-captain his senior season. He played for Dom Anile, who is now a Consultant to Player Personnel for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. At the completion of his career, Lovett enrolled in graduate school at the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
, earning his Master's Degree in 1975.
Early career
Upon graduation, Lovett began his career in coaching at Saint Joseph Regional High SchoolSaint Joseph Regional High School
Saint Joseph Regional High School is a private, Roman Catholic, college preparatory school for boys, located on a campus in Montvale, New Jersey. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. St. Joseph Regional High School was founded in 1962 by the Brothers...
in 1976. After two seasons as a prep school coach, he took his first collegiate coaching position as an assistant at Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1978, where he was paid only $500 per year. In 1983, Lovett spent a season in the Ivy League at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
before moving back to New York to work under Joe Walton
Joe Walton
Joseph Frank Walton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons...
as the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
in 1984.
Maine and Cincinnati (Tim Murphy)
The following season, Lovett was hired by Buddy TeevensBuddy Teevens
Eugene Francis "Buddy" Teevens III is the head football coach at Dartmouth College. He has previously served in the same position at the University of Maine, Tulane University, and Stanford University.-Early life:...
as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
Black Bears
Maine Black Bears
The Maine Black Bears are the athletic teams which represent the University of Maine. They compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with the majority of the teams playing in the America East Conference...
. In 1987, Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy (football coach)
Tim Murphy is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Harvard University, a position he has held since the 1994 season. Murphy served as the head coach at the University of Maine from 1987 to 1988 and at the University of Cincinnati from 1989 to...
took over as head coach and the team went on to win the conference championship and qualified for the Division I-AA playoffs.
When Murphy was hired as the new head coach of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
in 1989, Lovett joined him as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
. He stayed at the school until 1993, when he was hired as the secondary coach for the UNLV Rebels
UNLV Rebels football
The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association...
.
In 1994, head coach Jack Cosgrove
Jack Cosgrove
Jack Cosgrove is head football coach at the University of Maine. Cosgrove is an alumnus of Maine and a former quarterback on the Black Bear's football team. Prior to receiving the head coach position, Cosgrove served as an assistant at Maine and Boston College, as well as a high school...
brought Lovett back to Maine to again serve as the school's defensive coordinator. Cosgrove had work alongside Lovett when he was offensive coordinator of the Black Bears before being named the head coach.
Ole Miss and Auburn (Tuberville)
In 1995, he joined new head coach Tommy TubervilleTommy Tuberville
Thomas Hawley Tuberville is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas Tech University, a position he has held since the 2010 season...
's staff at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
to coach the secondary. Four seasons later when Tuberville took the head coaching position at Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
, Lovett followed him to the school, where he was named the defensive coordinator. Tuberville fired Lovett following the 2001 season
2001 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2001 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season.They posted a 7–5 record, including a record of 5–3 in the Southeastern Conference...
.
Clemson
Lovett was hired by Tommy BowdenTommy Bowden
Tommy Bowden is an American football coach who served as the head coach at Clemson University from 1999 until October 13, 2008...
to serve as the defensive coordinator at Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
from 2002–04, where he helped develop one of the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
's top defenses. In 2004, Clemson was 11th in the nation in pass defense efficiency (103.4) and 26th in total defense (327.3 yds/g). In 2003, his defense allowed just 19.2 points per game as Clemson finished the year with nine wins and a top 25 national ranking.
Bowling Green
Lovett served as the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green from 2005-06. In addition to coordinating the defense at Bowling Green, Lovett coached linebackers in 2005 and defensive backs in 2006. In his first year with the FalconsBowling Green Falcons
The Bowling Green Falcons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Bowling Green State University, located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Falcons participate in NCAA Division I in the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. BGSU is one of only 13 universities in the...
, Lovett's defense ranked 20th in the country in turnover margin.
North Carolina
Lovett spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons as the special teams coordinator and a defensive assistant at North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
, where the kickoff coverage unit ranked among the nation's top 15 and the Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
blocked six kicks in 2008. He coached the NCAA all-time leader in combined kick return yards in Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate
-2009 season:Tate was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 16, he was signed to a four-year contract with a $755,000 signing bonus. He began the 2009 season on the non-football injury list, still recovering from his knee injury from the prior season. He was...
, who also established the ACC career mark for kickoff return yards.
Miami
On February 12, 2009, Lovett was hired by coach Randy ShannonRandy Shannon
Randy Lennard Shannon is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Miami from 2007 to 2010. Shannon played football at Miami and then with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL....
as the new defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
.