Former Penn State All-American safety and captain Michael Zordich, Sr. was named Michigan’s secondary coach, the team announced Tuesday. Zordich will join newly hired head coach Jim Harbaugh in the now-mighty Big Ten East. A Youngstown, Ohio native, he was previously the co-special teams coordinator and safeties coach for Youngstown State University.

Zordich starred at Penn State, lettering all four of his seasons under Joe Paterno. He was named an All-American in 1985, a year in which he recorded 60 tackles including a crucial interception that he returned for a touchdown against Maryland in the season opener. The No. 17 Nittany Lions squeaked past the No. 9 Terrapins 20-18 en route to an 11-1 season and an eventual loss in the Orange Bowl and de facto national championship against Oklahoma. He had 201 career tackles.

Zordich then enjoyed a 12-year NFL career, which saw him play five seasons with the Eagles, five more with the Cardinals, and two with the Jets. He started 125 of the 185 career games he appeared in, racking up almost 600 tackles, 20 interceptions, and four touchdowns.

Zordich’s son, also named Michael, enjoyed a successful Penn State career and now plays with the Saints in the NFL.

“Michael is a proven secondary coach that has had success at the pro and collegiate levels,” said Harbaugh in the Michigan football release. “After an All-American career at Penn State and a 12-year career in the NFL, Michael knows what it takes to be an elite defensive back. Players that hope to play at the next level will benefit from Michael’s teaching and knowledge of the game.”

“I am thrilled to join the University of Michigan and work with the players and staff that strive to live up to this program’s great tradition,” Zordich said. “I can already tell there are quality young men in this program, and I look forward to building lifelong relationships with the student-athletes I will mentor. It is great to be in Ann Arbor, and it is a privilege to work alongside Coach Harbaugh and this tremendous coaching staff.”

Photo: MGoBlue.com