Kovach played at UK in 1974-76 and ’78. He was a three-time All-SEC linebacker while helping lead the Wildcats to the 1976 SEC championship. He earned Academic All-America honors and his 521 career tackles still rank No. 1 in school UK history. Kovach played in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints and was chosen to the All-Saints’ 20th Anniversary Team. During the NFL off-seasons, he earned his medical degree at UK and he added a law degree from Stanford University.