Kevin Koger enters his second year with the Chargers as tight ends coach. In his first year with the Bolts, Koger helped veteran tight ends Jared Cook and Stephen Anderson adjust to a new offensive system and developed Donald Parham Jr., and rookie Tre' McKitty.
Koger's contribution aided a Chargers unit that paced in the AFC in passing offense (282.4) in 2021 and ranked fourth in the NFL in total offense (390.2). The tight ends combined for eight of quarterback Justin Herbert's record-setting 38 passing touchdowns. Cook emerged as a reliable threat, moving the chains on 13 of his 15 third and fourth down receptions. He caught four touchdowns, giving him four-straight seasons with at least four receiving scores. The offensive unit single-season team records for first downs (401) and passing touchdowns (38) in 2021.
The Toledo, Ohio, native joined the Chargers after two seasons as an offensive quality control coach with the Packers (2019-20), helping Green Bay secure back-to-back appearances in the NFC Championship Game. As a primary assistant to then-Packers Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay, Koger also contributed to the instruction of the tight ends group, helping develop Robert Tonyan to break out in 2020 with 52 catches for 586 yards and 11 receiving scores — leading all NFL tight ends in touchdown catches.
Koger was an All-Ohio selection as a senior at Toledo Whitmer (Ohio) High. He went on to play collegiately at the University of Michigan and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in sport management. Koger was a four-year letter-winner (2008-11) and three-year starter, logging 47 games played with 30 starts at tight end. He was voted a team captain entering his senior season and ended his Wolverines career by earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the conference coaches and the media. Koger was featured on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award as a junior, which is annually given to the top tight end in college football.
Following his graduation from Michigan in 2012, Koger spent one season coaching the tight ends and wide receivers at Saline (Mich.) High School. He then broke into the collegiate coaching ranks at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in 2013. In two seasons in Ann Arbor, Mich., Koger's graduate assistant role featured work with the tight ends group and contributions to the special teams units. His work involved the development of 2013 All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection Jake Butt, who went on to later win the John Mackey Award.
Prior to Eastern Kentucky, Koger spent one season (2015) as an offensive quality control coach at the University of Tennessee. In his lone season in Knoxville, Tenn., primarily working with the wide receivers and offensive line, the Volunteers posted a 9-4 record, with an Outback Bowl victory.
After one year with Tennessee, Koger spent three seasons at Eastern Kentucky University (2016-18), working with the wide receivers group and adding special teams coordinator responsibilities in his final season with the Colonels. In his lone season as special teams coordinator, the kickoff return unit led the Ohio Valley Conference with a mark of 23.2 yards-per-return, while the punt return unit also blocked a pair of opponent punts. Koger's first two seasons in Richmond, Ky., centered around developing the receiving corps for eventual NFL quarterback Tim Boyle, who lead the OVC in passing yards and completion percentage in 2017. That same season, Koger tutored wide receiver Ryan Markush to rank No. 2 in the conference in touchdown receptions (nine) and third in receiving yards (745), earning All-OVC recognition.
Koger and his wife, Tiffany, have two sons, Hayes and Kingston.