Central Michigan University Athletics
New CMU defensive backs coach Mike Zordich looks on during a team scrimmage at Kelly/Shorts Stadium last week.
New Secondary Coach Brings Strong Resumé, Pedigree
4/7/2021 11:34:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Show, don't tell.
It's a mantra that translates from the athletic arena to all walks of life. That said, a little show doesn't hurt in establishing credentials and respect, particularly with college football student-athletes.
When Michael Zordich joined the Central Michigan football coaching staff as its defensive backs coach, he brought with him a sit-up-and-take-notice resumé. And his new protégés in the Chippewa defensive backfield were and are, indeed, paying attention.
"He made sure that we knew where he came from and what his background was and what he stood for," CMU junior safety Devonni Reed said. "Anytime you have a new coach, you always want to listen, you always want to take in what he has to tell you.
"When (Zordich is) talking, you've got to soak in every little bit of it. Everything that he's been through, he's teaching us. He has a lot of tools."
Zordich joined coach Jim McElwain's CMU staff after six years at Michigan. Both were on the Wolverine staff in 2018 and became fast friends and practice adversaries; Zordich coached the defensive backs and McElwain the wide receivers.
"We sat next to each other in staff meetings, became buddies, and he's just a great guy," Zordich said of McElwain, who is in his third season in charge of the program. "That's basically how this all happened. I totally appreciate him giving me this opportunity."
Zordich was an All-American safety at Penn State and in 1982 won a national championship with the Nittany Lions. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL draft and played 12 seasons in the league with the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles.
He broke into coaching at Cardinal Mooney High School in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio and then returned to the NFL as an assistant with the Eagles in 2009. He then went to Youngstown State in 2014 as the safeties coach before arriving in Ann Arbor in 2015.
Twice during Zordich's six-year tenure at U-M did the Wolverines rank first nationally against the pass. He coached three Wolverine cornerbacks to All-America honors and three times during his tenure at the school was a Wolverine corner named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in the nation.
In short, Zordich has seen and adapted as the game – particularly defensive football and pass coverage – has evolved.
"It is a different game, no doubt," he said. "The tough part is teaching the tackling, the change in tackling, the mentality you have to have, the angles you have to have. You've got to keep your head out of it. That's a different thing."
Certainly, rules have changed from the NFL to college and down to the high school and youth levels of the game. And while much has been done, understandably, in the name of player safety, an underlying objective is to increase offense which, naturally, makes it more difficult to play – and coach – on the defensive side.
"I'm a big fundamental/technique guy," Zordich said. "I've taught the NFL way: all the battle, if we're going to be in press (coverage), is going to be at the line of scrimmage. Once the route is vertical, it's just being quiet and being in great position. The pass part of (defense), to me, that's always been in the same: I don't want to be noisy in the route, just quiet and as long as they're doing their technique, we'll be in good shape."
Zordich is in charge of one of the Chippewas' most talented and deepest units. More than a half-dozen of the safeties/cornerbacks on the roster have started or played a significant number of snaps in their respective careers at CMU.
"They know the defense better than I do," Zordich said. "They're teaching me along the way. They're really all good kids, good people. I was really impressed. I sat with every one of them a day or two after I got here, and I was really impressed with all of their personalities, their eagerness to get better.
"I'm excited to work with this group in the secondary room, but also this team. I was pleasantly surprised at the talent level on this football program. I think this can be a really good football team in our conference."
It's a mantra that translates from the athletic arena to all walks of life. That said, a little show doesn't hurt in establishing credentials and respect, particularly with college football student-athletes.
When Michael Zordich joined the Central Michigan football coaching staff as its defensive backs coach, he brought with him a sit-up-and-take-notice resumé. And his new protégés in the Chippewa defensive backfield were and are, indeed, paying attention.
"He made sure that we knew where he came from and what his background was and what he stood for," CMU junior safety Devonni Reed said. "Anytime you have a new coach, you always want to listen, you always want to take in what he has to tell you.
"When (Zordich is) talking, you've got to soak in every little bit of it. Everything that he's been through, he's teaching us. He has a lot of tools."
Zordich joined coach Jim McElwain's CMU staff after six years at Michigan. Both were on the Wolverine staff in 2018 and became fast friends and practice adversaries; Zordich coached the defensive backs and McElwain the wide receivers.
"We sat next to each other in staff meetings, became buddies, and he's just a great guy," Zordich said of McElwain, who is in his third season in charge of the program. "That's basically how this all happened. I totally appreciate him giving me this opportunity."
Zordich was an All-American safety at Penn State and in 1982 won a national championship with the Nittany Lions. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL draft and played 12 seasons in the league with the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles.
He broke into coaching at Cardinal Mooney High School in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio and then returned to the NFL as an assistant with the Eagles in 2009. He then went to Youngstown State in 2014 as the safeties coach before arriving in Ann Arbor in 2015.
Twice during Zordich's six-year tenure at U-M did the Wolverines rank first nationally against the pass. He coached three Wolverine cornerbacks to All-America honors and three times during his tenure at the school was a Wolverine corner named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in the nation.
In short, Zordich has seen and adapted as the game – particularly defensive football and pass coverage – has evolved.
"It is a different game, no doubt," he said. "The tough part is teaching the tackling, the change in tackling, the mentality you have to have, the angles you have to have. You've got to keep your head out of it. That's a different thing."
Certainly, rules have changed from the NFL to college and down to the high school and youth levels of the game. And while much has been done, understandably, in the name of player safety, an underlying objective is to increase offense which, naturally, makes it more difficult to play – and coach – on the defensive side.
"I'm a big fundamental/technique guy," Zordich said. "I've taught the NFL way: all the battle, if we're going to be in press (coverage), is going to be at the line of scrimmage. Once the route is vertical, it's just being quiet and being in great position. The pass part of (defense), to me, that's always been in the same: I don't want to be noisy in the route, just quiet and as long as they're doing their technique, we'll be in good shape."
Zordich is in charge of one of the Chippewas' most talented and deepest units. More than a half-dozen of the safeties/cornerbacks on the roster have started or played a significant number of snaps in their respective careers at CMU.
"They know the defense better than I do," Zordich said. "They're teaching me along the way. They're really all good kids, good people. I was really impressed. I sat with every one of them a day or two after I got here, and I was really impressed with all of their personalities, their eagerness to get better.
"I'm excited to work with this group in the secondary room, but also this team. I was pleasantly surprised at the talent level on this football program. I think this can be a really good football team in our conference."
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