Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jordan began wrestling in 10th grade at R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem. At Reynolds, Jordan was a three-time state qualifier and state runner-up in 1965 at 105 lbs. Jordan wrestled at Duke University, finishing third in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in 1968 and capturing an ACC title at 123 lbs. in 1969. Jordan also received the Lee Award in 1969, given to one outstanding graduating student-athlete at Duke. Jordan then entered Duke Divinity School, graduating in 1972. While in graduate school, Jordan was an assistant to Coach Bill Harvey, Duke's head wrestling coach. Jordan has remained connected to wrestling throughout his career in the ministry, finding a high school program to volunteer in with every congregation he's served. His schools include Wilkes Central High School (1972-76), Franklin High (1976-79), Beaver Creek and Ashe Central High (1980-83), Eastern Guilford High (1983-89), Statesville High (1989-96), Asheboro High (1996-99), Rockingham County High (1999-2007), Brevard High (2007-12) and Pisgah High (2012-14). In 1981-82, Jordan filled in as head coach at Ashe Central, coaching with Hall of Fame Coach Ron Bare. Jordan remains active in the United Methodist Church and currently lives in Lake Junaluska with his wife Margaret. They have three children: Elizabeth Jordan-Bell; Virginia Jordan; and Katherine Schadler Jordan.