He played professionally for six games as an end for the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League (NFL) during their 1938 season.
[6] He resigned from his post at Owosso the next year and returned to Northwestern in the summer of 1940 to complete work towards a master's degree.
In January 1942, he succeeded Heap, who joined United States Navy Reserve, as head football coach and athletic director.
[12] Kovatch stayed at Indiana until March 1947, when he joined the coaching staff of his alma mater, Northwestern University.
[14] Kovatch married Rowena La Vergne Loop, on August 19, 1939, at Central Methodist Church in Superior, Wisconsin.