Source: YSU to hire Zordich as defensive backs coach

Zordich, Father and Son

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Father and son are Youngstown firefighters. George Zordich Sr. and George Zordich Jr

The 12-year NFL veteran had been an assistant coach at Cardinal Mooney.

Vindicator sports staff

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State University football team has hired Michael Zordich as its defensive backs coach, a source close to the team confirmed Wednesday.

Zordich, a Chaney High graduate who now lives in Canfield, has spent the last few seasons as the secondary coach at Cardinal Mooney. He was also the school’s defensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000.

After an All-America career as a safety at Penn State, Zordich was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL Draft.He was released by the Chargers at the end of the preseason and signed with the New York Jets, playing 10 games, mostly on special teams, in the 1987 season.

He signed with the then-Phoenix Cardinals in 1989 where he played for five years.

He then played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1994-98 before retiring.

He finished his career with 20 interceptions and four TDs in 185 games.

In addition to coaching, Zordich is president of a Pittsburgh company, Wright Industries, which specializes in industrial building contracting.

His older son, Michael, was an All-Ohio selection at Mooney and now plays at Penn State, while his younger son, Alex, was the starting quarterback as a junior at Mooney this past fall.

Sherod Holmes coached cornerbacks at YSU last fall.