Kevin Donley
Encyclopedia
Kevin Donley is an American football
coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Saint Francis
in Fort Wayne, Indiana
, a position he has held since the program's inception; Donley was named head coach in April 1997, and the Saint Francis Cougars began play in the 1998 season. Prior to Saint Francis, Donley served as the head coach at Anderson University
in Anderson, Indiana
(1978–1981), Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky
(1982–1992), and California University of Pennsylvania
(1993–1996). His 1991 Georgetown Tigers
team won the NAIA Division II National Football Championship
. Donley led Saint Francis to three consecutive NAIA title games from 2004 to 2006.
where he graduated from Shawnee High School
in 1969. His playing career continued in college as a linebacker
and fullback
at Anderson College
.
in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator
. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head football coach in the country. Over the next four years, Donley's teams compiled an overall record of 28–9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. As of 2009, after 63 years of Anderson Ravens football, Donley's winning percentage stands as the best among all head coaches in program history. In 1980, Donley earned a master's degree in education from Ball State University
.
. In the 14 games that season, the Tigers scored 744 points, among the most of all college football teams at all levels of play. For his team's achievements, Donley was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year.
from 1993 to 1996. In four seasons, Donley's teams compiled an uncharacteristic record of 11–33.
. After a year of preparation, the Cougars began play in the 1998 season. In his first campaign, Donley led Saint Francis to a record of 2–8, their only losing season to date. Since 1999, his teams have lost no more than three games each season. Six of Donley's squads have completed undefeated regular seasons (2002–2006, 2008), and three consecutive teams finished as national runners-up (2004–2006). Under Donley's leadership, the Cougars have attained a string of 152 consecutive weeks in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll, the longest current streak among all NAIA schools.
as wells as offensive coordinator
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Saint Francis
University of Saint Francis (Indiana)
The University of Saint Francis is a liberal arts university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the university promotes Catholic and Franciscan values...
in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, a position he has held since the program's inception; Donley was named head coach in April 1997, and the Saint Francis Cougars began play in the 1998 season. Prior to Saint Francis, Donley served as the head coach at Anderson University
Anderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
in Anderson, Indiana
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
(1978–1981), Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
(1982–1992), and California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
(1993–1996). His 1991 Georgetown Tigers
Georgetown Tigers football
The Georgetown Tigers football program represents Georgetown College of Georgetown, Kentucky in college football. The Tigers have been one of the most successful football teams playing NAIA.-Program accomplishments:* National Champions - 1991, 2000, 2001...
team won the NAIA Division II National Football Championship
NAIA national football championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football National Championship is decided by a post-season playoff system featuring the best NAIA college football teams in the United States. Under sponsorship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the championship game has...
. Donley led Saint Francis to three consecutive NAIA title games from 2004 to 2006.
Early life and playing career
Donley is a native of Springfield, OhioSpringfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
where he graduated from Shawnee High School
Shawnee High School (Springfield, Ohio)
Shawnee High School is a public high school near Springfield, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Clark-Shawnee Local School District. The high school offers college preparatory classes along with many different programs in sports, band, drama, foreign languages, and music...
in 1969. His playing career continued in college as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
and fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
at Anderson College
Anderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
.
Anderson University
After graduating from Anderson UniversityAnderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head football coach in the country. Over the next four years, Donley's teams compiled an overall record of 28–9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. As of 2009, after 63 years of Anderson Ravens football, Donley's winning percentage stands as the best among all head coaches in program history. In 1980, Donley earned a master's degree in education from Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
.
Georgetown College (KY)
Donley joined the Georgetown College staff as head coach in 1982. The high point of his tenure there came in 1991 when the Tigers went 13–1 and won the NAIA Division II National Football ChampionshipNAIA national football championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football National Championship is decided by a post-season playoff system featuring the best NAIA college football teams in the United States. Under sponsorship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the championship game has...
. In the 14 games that season, the Tigers scored 744 points, among the most of all college football teams at all levels of play. For his team's achievements, Donley was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year.
California University of Pennsylvania
Donley served as the head coach at California University of PennsylvaniaCalifornia University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
from 1993 to 1996. In four seasons, Donley's teams compiled an uncharacteristic record of 11–33.
University of Saint Francis (IN)
In 1997, Donley became the first head football coach at the University of Saint FrancisUniversity of Saint Francis (Indiana)
The University of Saint Francis is a liberal arts university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the university promotes Catholic and Franciscan values...
. After a year of preparation, the Cougars began play in the 1998 season. In his first campaign, Donley led Saint Francis to a record of 2–8, their only losing season to date. Since 1999, his teams have lost no more than three games each season. Six of Donley's squads have completed undefeated regular seasons (2002–2006, 2008), and three consecutive teams finished as national runners-up (2004–2006). Under Donley's leadership, the Cougars have attained a string of 152 consecutive weeks in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll, the longest current streak among all NAIA schools.
Family
Donley has two children: a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Megan. In 2004, Patrick joined the USF staff and has served as wide receivers coachWide receivers coach
A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
as wells as offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
.
Awards and honors
- NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
National Coach of the Year (2004, 1991) - AFCAAmerican Football Coaches AssociationThe American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
Region 2 (NAIA) Coach of the Year (2008) - NAIA District 32 Coach of the Year (1991)
- MSFAMid-States Football AssociationThe Mid-States Football Association is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. The MSFA was organized in 1993, and on-field competition began in 1994...
MEL Conference Coach of the Year (2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999) - Mid-South ConferenceMid-South ConferenceThe Mid-South Conference is an athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky....
Coach of the Year (1991, 1989) - Hoosier-Buckeye Conference Coach of the Year (1981, 1980)
- Inducted into University of Saint Francis Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2008)
- Inducted into Indiana Football Hall of FameIndiana Football Hall of FameThe Indiana Football Hall of Fame is a sports museum and hall of fame in Richmond, Indiana. It honors persons associated with high school, college and professional American football in Indiana. It also works to establish scholarships and endowments to promote football in the state of Indiana...
(2005) - Inducted into Georgetown College Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
- Red coat recipient, Mad Anthonys (2007)
- 16 conference titles in 32 seasons of coaching through 2010