Samford University Athletics

Doug Kovash enters his eighth year with the Samford Athletics Development team. He was promoted in June 2026 to Associate A.D. for Athletics Development and serves as the major gift fundraiser for Athletics.
 
In his current role, Kovash’s duties include the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts that support the operating budgets and capital projects for Samford’s 17 sports, 360 student-athletes and athletic facilities. He also works in conjunction with the Bulldog Club staff and university-wide advancement team to further the mission of Samford University and Samford Athletics.
 
Kovash has been instrumental in securing transformational gifts for the Pete Hanna Football Stadium, Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House and Bobby Bowden Football Field, the Shauna Yelton Soccer Field and Cameron Bean Track facility upgrades, Joe Lee Griffin Baseball Stadium Locker Room, Videoboard and Turf projects as well as assisting with 85 million dollar campaign for the Seibert Campus Rec Center, Bashinsky Arena Basketball/Volleyball practice facility, covered Football practice space, and the John and Louise Beard Health and Wellness Center.
Prior to coming to Samford, Kovash spent parts of 10 years with Firehouse Ministries’ non-profit ministry which is the largest men’s homeless shelter in the state of Alabama. During his time with the organization, he served as a Case Manager/Housing Coordinator (2009-11), Development Director (2011-15) and Assistant Director (2016-19).
 
Kovash spent 30 years (1986-2016) coaching college baseball and scouting for Major League Baseball.
 
Head coaching stops include:  Central Alabama Community College (2015-16), Lawson State Community College (2013-15), Presbyterian College (1993-2004), Emory University (1990-93) and Susquehanna University (1988-90).
 
Additionally, Kovash served the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 2006-09 and at Birmingham-Southern College from 2004-06 as the Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator. Kovash also had a three-year stint scouting with the San Diego Padres organization from 2010-12.
 
Kovash earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in coaching from Concordia College (MN) in 1986. He then received a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in sport psychology from Miami University (OH) in 1988. Kovash is married to Beth (Olson) Kovash, has three children Jenna, Jordan and Kayla and has eight grandchildren – all of whom live in the Birmingham metro area..