Lovat started coaching at Utah, there he became the defensive line coach in 1967. Next he went to Idaho State University (1968–70) coaching the defensive secondary and offensive line. Then Lovat moved on to the CFL as the defensive coordinator for the Ottawa Rough Riders (1971), and then went back to Utah as an assistant from 1972–73 and became the head coach 1974–76. His son, Mark Lovat, is the current Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Packers.