Troy University Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Offensive Line
- Email:
- jmorgan@troy.edu
- Phone:
- 3682
Veteran NFL coach Cole Popovich, who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, where he coached for six years, including the 2020 season as the co-offensive line coach, begins his first season as Troyโs offensive line coach.
Popovich joined the Patriots midway through the 2015 season as a coaching assistant and transitioned to the assistant running backs coach in 2019 before moving to co-offensive line coach for the 2020 season. New England captured a pair of Super Bowl titles during his tenure with the Patriots winning Super Bowl LI (2016) and Super Bowl LIII (2018).
The Patriots ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing offense in 2020 and ranked in the top 10 in first downs per game and yards per carry. Popovich played a key role in developing New Englandโs run-game plan during his season as the offensvie line coach. The Patriots fininished the season with the leagueโs fourth-ranked offensive line according to Pro Football Focus.
During his season assisting with the running backs, Sony Michel rushed for 912 yards and the Patriots finished 12-4 and won the AFC East title. His first four seasons in New England saw Popovich helping lead the Patriots to a top 10 NFL offense in four of his first five seasons.
He spent the 2021 season coaching the offensive line at Franklin (Mass.) High School, where he led an offensive line that averaged just 214 pounds to a league title, a 10-1 overall record and No. 3 ranking in the state by Max Preps. The Panthersโ offensive line paved the way for a Franklin running back to rush for 1,647 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games.
Popovich was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator at Minot State for two seasons before joining the Patriotsโ staff. He spent one season as a graduate assistant at Utah State, following stops at Fresno City College and LA Valley College to begin his coaching career.
He had an outstanding collegiate career at Fresno State, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2004 from ESPN, Sporting News, Football Writers Association of American and College Football News. Popovich was a four-year starter on the offensive line, helping lead the Bulldogs to bowl games all four seasons. In 2007, he earned the Paul Schechter Courage Award, given to the one athlete who has overcome obstacles to return to the playing field.
Popovich and his wife, Jessica, have two sons, Colton and Coen.
