Donahue, winningest UCLA football coach, dies


Terry Donahue, the winningest coach in Pac-12 Conference and UCLA football history who later served as general manager of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, died Sunday. He was 77.

The school said he died at his home in Newport Beach, California, after a two-year struggle with cancer.

Donahue has the most wins (98) of any coach in Pac-12 history and also the most victories (151) in UCLA history. He coached the Bruins from 1971 to 1975, working as an assistant under Pepper Rodgers and then Dick Vermeil, before taking over as head coach at age 31 and serving from 1976 to 1995. His first job out of college was as an assistant to Rodgers at Kansas for one season.

Donahue was the first to appear in a Rose Bowl game as a player, assistant coach and head coach. The Bruins won the New Year’s Day game in 1983, 1984 and 1986 during his coaching tenure. He was the first college coach to earn bowl game victories in seven consecutive seasons, from 1983 to 1989.

Terry Donahue in 2019 during a UCLA-Oklahoma football game at the Rose Bowl. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
Born in Los Angeles, Terrence Michael Donahue graduated from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, California, before going to UCLA. He joined the football team as a walk-on defensive lineman in 1965. He helped lead the Bruins to their first-ever Rose Bowl win in 1966 with an upset of previously undefeated and top-ranked Michigan State.

He had a 151-74-8 coaching record at UCLA and a 98-51-5 mark in Pac-12 play. The Bruins won or shared five league titles during Donahue’s tenure. He coached such future Hall of Famers as quarterback Troy Aikman, safety Kenny Easley and offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden.

Donahue was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He joined the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1997, and the press box at the Rose Bowl was named for him in 2013.

“He epitomizes everything you strive to be as a coach and as a human being,” current UCLA football coach Chip Kelly said. “Since the moment I stepped on campus, he’s been an incredible mentor and one of the most authentic, humble and toughest men I’ve ever met. He loved UCLA with all he had, and I can’t express how important his guidance and friendship has been for me.”

After retiring from coaching, Donahue worked for CBS, Fox and the NFL Network calling games.

He served as the 49ers’ director of player personnel in 1999 and 2000 and as the team’s general manager from 2001 to 2005.

Donahue turned down a chance to coach the Dallas Cowboys, a move that would have reunited him with Aikman in 1998.

He is survived by Andrea, his wife of 52 years; daughters Nicole, Michele and Jennifer; and 10 grandchildren.

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

Sam Asghari Wears Matching Outfits With Rumored Girlfriend, Shopping For Furniture
Sam Asghari Wears Matching Outfits With Rumored Girlfriend, Shopping For Furniture
John Krasinski is People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Everything we know about how he was chosen — and why debate over the selection is good for sales.
John Krasinski is People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Everything we know about how he was chosen — and why debate over the selection is good for sales.
Michael Strahan Addresses National Anthem Backlash, I Wasn’t Making a Statement!
Michael Strahan Addresses National Anthem Backlash, I Wasn’t Making a Statement!
What’s it like being the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’? Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans among past titleholders offering advice to the 2024 winner.
What’s it like being the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’? Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans among past titleholders offering advice to the 2024 winner.
“She Just Had an Accident”: “Seed of Chucky” at 20 | Features
“She Just Had an Accident”: “Seed of Chucky” at 20 | Features
Paul Mescal Feels Pressure of Gladiator 2 Box Office Expectations
Paul Mescal Feels Pressure of Gladiator 2 Box Office Expectations
Emilia Pérez Ending, Explained
Emilia Pérez Ending, Explained
Time Moves On: Jesse Eisenberg on “A Real Pain” | Interviews
Time Moves On: Jesse Eisenberg on “A Real Pain” | Interviews
Pharrell Williams denies dissing Taylor Swift’s Kamala Harris endorsement
Pharrell Williams denies dissing Taylor Swift’s Kamala Harris endorsement
Government back arena ticket levy to save grassroots music – but deadline is needed
Government back arena ticket levy to save grassroots music – but deadline is needed
‘Friends’ actress remembers “hullabaloo” over same-sex wedding
‘Friends’ actress remembers “hullabaloo” over same-sex wedding
When is The Penguin season 2 coming out?
When is The Penguin season 2 coming out?
Rays’ Franco charged with illegally carrying gun during altercation
Rays’ Franco charged with illegally carrying gun during altercation
Vikings’ Flores ‘certainly’ wants to be NFL head coach again
Vikings’ Flores ‘certainly’ wants to be NFL head coach again
Mitchell’s 36-point effort keeps Cavs undefeated
Mitchell’s 36-point effort keeps Cavs undefeated
Daboll noncommittal on Jones as Giants’ QB1 after bye week
Daboll noncommittal on Jones as Giants’ QB1 after bye week
Mark Hamill, Mike Flanagan & Many More to Host MST3K Thanksgiving Marathon
Mark Hamill, Mike Flanagan & Many More to Host MST3K Thanksgiving Marathon
21 Surprisingly Progressive TV Shows That Were Ahead of Their Time
21 Surprisingly Progressive TV Shows That Were Ahead of Their Time
Mare of Easttown Creator Reveals What’s Holding Him Back From Season 2
Mare of Easttown Creator Reveals What’s Holding Him Back From Season 2
Mad About the Boy Trailer Released by Peacock
Mad About the Boy Trailer Released by Peacock
Best Early Black Friday Fashion Deals 2024
Best Early Black Friday Fashion Deals 2024
Your Sleek Gift Guide For Scorpios!
Your Sleek Gift Guide For Scorpios!
Face of Jules Expands: Scaling Luxury Skincare to Meet Rising Demand
Face of Jules Expands: Scaling Luxury Skincare to Meet Rising Demand
Marc Jacobs Edits Vogue, The Rock Covers GQ!
Marc Jacobs Edits Vogue, The Rock Covers GQ!