William E. McGovern

William Edward McGovern of Oradell, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on May 30, 2023. He had most recently resided in Redondo Beach, CA.
Bill was born on December 31, 1962 to Howard and Terry (Markey) McGovern and grew up in Oradell. After graduation from Bergen Catholic High School, Bill attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. He walked-on to the football team his freshman year and earned a starting position as a defensive back after the fourth game. Bill went on to be an All-American at Holy Cross and held the national record for interceptions during his senior year. He was inducted into the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame and in 2018 was chosen for the Holy Cross Ring of Honor, which recognizes the best individuals throughout the history of the HC football program. He was also inducted into the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame and named to the Bergen County All-Century team.
While football was his passion Bill cherished his wife Colleen (Connelly), and daughters Amanda, Delainey and Mackenzie more than words can express. He was deeply committed to his large family including his parents and many siblings and always put others before himself. Bill always appreciated the simple pleasures in life. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his girls, smoking an occasional cigar and enjoying a glass of "brown water", while country music played in the background.
Bill's playing days evolved into 40 years of coaching football at the college level and in the NFL. He coached at UPenn, Holy Cross, UMass, and Pittsburgh and spent almost 20 years at Boston College. He moved to the NFL and held positions with the Philadelphia Eagles, NY Giants and Chicago Bears. College coaching was his first love so Bill joined the Nebraska staff in 2020 and was named defensive coordinator this past year at UCLA. Along the way Bill, Colleen and their daughters joined a football family of players, coaches, administrators and their families from around the country. A sign hung in each of their homes that read, "We can live wherever as long as we're together." Through the years, Bill mentored many young aspiring coaches and shared his love and knowledge of the game to which he devoted his life.
Bill was predeceased by his parents and brother, Jack. Besides his wife and three daughters, he leaves behind his siblings: MaryBeth (Steve) Budra, Tom (Paula), sister-in-law Ann, Patti (Peter) Hill, Jim (Lauren), Rob (Kelly), Mike (Kristy), David (Melanie) and mother-in-law Eileen (Shaughnessy) Connelly along with Shelley (Joe) Rowell, Murt Connelly, Jeff (Kelly) Connelly, Jackie (Keir) Pearson, and Patrick (Lauren) Connelly, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, June 6 from 3:30-8:00 PM at the Church of the Presentation, 271 W. Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Presentation on Wednesday, June 7 at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reverend Earle Markey Scholarship Fund at the College of the Holy Cross in memory of Bill McGovern. Office of Advancement, College of the Holy Cross, One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610. Or click on the link below in the Memorial Contributions section.