Indianapolis Colts add assistant to coaching staff
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Jack Mewhort (75) tries to block Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Colts 27 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Popovich, a former assistant coach at UTSA and FIU, will become the Indianapolis Colts' new assistant to the head coach, a source told FOX Sports.
An Arizona native, Popovich played DB for Colts head coach Chuck Pagano when they were at the University of Miami together. During his time at FIU, Popovich mentored eight players to all-conference seasons, and helped the unit emerge as one of the best in the Sun Belt Conference and proved to be one of the best recruiters at FIU. Four of his players went on to be drafted by or sign with NFL teams including Jonathan Cyprien; Junior Mertile, Jose Cheesborough, and Anthony Graitor.
Popovich, a three-time Big East All-Academic Team selection and an Academic All-America candidate as a player for UM, was also a grad assistant at Miami after playing stints with the Tampa Bay Bucs and Atlanta Falcons. He also was a member of the 2001 Barcelona Dragons squad that played in the World Bowl.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Popovich replaces Andrew Hayes-Stoker who just left to become Illinois' wide receivers coach.