Kevin Donley
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamSaint Francis (IN)
ConferenceMSFA
Record234–68
Biographical details
Born (1951-07-04) July 4, 1951 (age 72)
Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
1970–1973Anderson (IN)
Position(s)Linebacker, fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976–1977Anderson (IN) (OC)
1978–1981Anderson (IN)
1982–1992Georgetown (KY)
1993–1996California (PA)
1998–presentSaint Francis (IN)
Head coaching record
Overall348–153–1
Tournaments38–22 (NAIA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 NAIA Division II (1991)
2 NAIA (2016–2017)
2 Hoosier–Buckeye (1980–1981)
5 Mid-South Conference (1987, 1989–1992)
13 MSFA Mideast (1999–2006, 2008, 2012–2013, 2015, 2017)
Awards
NAIA Division II Coach of the Year (1991)
3× NAIA Coach of the Year (2004, 2016, 2017)

William Kevin Donley (born July 4, 1951)[1] is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a position he has held since April 1997. As of January 2024, Donley has completed 45 seasons as a head coach, in addition to the 1997 season which was devoted to establishing the football program at the University of Saint Francis. The Saint Francis Cougars began play the following year.

Donley currently holds the NAIA record for most wins by a NAIA football coach.[2]

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).

Donley's 2016 and 2017 Saint Francis Cougars teams won back-to-back NAIA championships, and his 1991 Georgetown Tigers team won the NAIA Division II Football National Championship.[3] In addition to the 2016 and 2017 championships, Donley led Saint Francis to three consecutive NAIA title game appearances from 2004 to 2006.

Donley has been named ACFA National Coach of the Year four times - once after each of his national championship seasons and once more after the 2004 season when his team also appeared in the championship game. For his coaching achievements, Donley has been inducted into several local, state and national halls of fame.

Early life and playing career

Donley is a native of Springfield, Ohio where he graduated from Shawnee High School in 1969.[1] His playing career continued in college as a linebacker and fullback at Anderson College.[1]

Coaching career

Anderson University

After graduating from Anderson University in 1973[1] 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. Through the 2017 season, which marked 71 years of Anderson Ravens football, Donley's winning percentage stands as the best among all head coaches in program history.[4] In 1980, Donley earned a master's degree in education from Ball State University.

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 Football National Championship. 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 earned his first NAIA National Coach of the Year award.

California University of Pennsylvania

Donley served as the head coach at California University of Pennsylvania 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 Francis. After a year of preparation, the Cougars began play in the 1998 season.[1] 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 more than three games only one time, in the 2014 season. Seven of Donley's squads have completed undefeated regular seasons (2002–2006, 2008, 2015), and three consecutive teams finished as national runners-up (2004–2006).

Donley led the Cougars to their first national championship win to end the 2016 season, coming 25 years after his initial championship at Georgetown.

Donley then led the Cougars to their second national championship win in 2017. Their achievement of back-to-back championships was only the fifth time in NAIA football history that this feat has been accomplished. The achievement also resulted in the naming of Donley as national Coach of the Year for both seasons - the third and fourth time he has received this honor (Donley was also named Coach of the Year after his 2004 team appeared in but lost the championship game.

Family

Donley has two children from Mary Mulford Donley, whom he married at Devington Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN when he was a senior in college at Anderson University (m. 7/1/1972):.[5] Currently, his son, Patrick, serves as Co-Offensive Coordinator[6] and his step-son, Joey Didier, serves as Co-Defensive Coordinator for Donley's USF football team.[7]

Awards and honors

NAIA career wins leader, milestone wins

Donley has more wins than any other NAIA head coach. Donley has attained this record while coaching three different NAIA football programs.[20]

On November 26, 2016, Donley attained a milestone win in his career. With his team's victory in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA playoffs, Donley recorded his 300th victory as a head coach. Donley became only the 13th coach in college football history, at all levels of play, to have reached this plateau.

On November 25, 2017, Donley attained another milestone win. With his team's victory in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA playoffs, Donley recorded his 200th victory as the head coach of the Saint Francis Cougars. This victory came in Donley's 20th season as their coach.

With 326 wins at the end of the 2018 football season, Donley began the 2019 season in 7th place all-time on the college football wins list.

On November 2, 2019, Donley attained milestone victory #332. With his team's conference victory on the road against Lawrence Tech, Donley moved into a 6th place tie for all-time college football wins. The following week, the Cougars defeated Taylor University to give Donley sole possession of the 6th spot.

On October 30, 2021, Donley attained milestone victory #338. This ties Ken Sparks for 5th place all-time on the Collage football wins list.

On September 10, 2022, Donley took sole possession of 5th place on the all-time wins list passing Ken Sparks with victory #339.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NAIA#
Anderson Ravens (Hoosier–Buckeye Conference) (1978–1981)
1978 Anderson 5–4 4–4 T–4th
1979 Anderson 7–2 6–2 3rd
1980 Anderson 8–1 7–1 T–1st
1981 Anderson 8–2 8–0 1st L NAIA Division II Quarterfinal
Anderson: 28–9 25–7
Georgetown Tigers (Heartland Collegiate Conference) (1982)
1982 Georgetown 2–9 1–6 T–7th
Georgetown Tigers (?) (1983–1986)
1983 Georgetown 7–3 2–3
1984 Georgetown 4–6 0–2
1985 Georgetown 4–6 1–2
1986 Georgetown 6–4 1–2
Georgetown Tigers (Mid-South Conference) (1987–1992)
1987 Georgetown 8–3 4–2 1st L NAIA Division II First Round
1988 Georgetown 7–3 4–1 2nd
1989 Georgetown 7–3–1 6–0 1st L NAIA Division II First Round
1990 Georgetown 9–2 5–0 1st L NAIA Division II First Round
1991 Georgetown 13–1 6–0 1st W NAIA Division II Championship
1992 Georgetown 8–3 4–1 T–1st L NAIA Division II First Round
Georgetown: 75–43–1 34–19
California Vulcans (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) (1993–1996)
1993 California 4–7 2–4 T–5th (West)
1994 California 2–9 1–5 7th (West)
1995 California 2–9 1–5 6th (West)
1996 California 3–8 0–6 7th (West)
California: 11–33 4–20
Saint Francis Cougars (Mid-States Football Association) (1998–present)
1998 Saint Francis 2–8 1–5 7th (MEL)
1999 Saint Francis 8–3 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA First Round 12
2000 Saint Francis 10–2 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 6
2001 Saint Francis 9–2 5–1 T–1st (MEL) L NAIA First Round 14
2002 Saint Francis 11–1 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 8
2003 Saint Francis 12–1 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Semifinal 4
2004 Saint Francis 13–1 7–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Championship 2
2005 Saint Francis 13–1 7–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Championship 2
2006 Saint Francis 13–1 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Championship 2
2007 Saint Francis 11–2 6–1 2nd (MEL) L NAIA Semifinal 4
2008 Saint Francis 12–1 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Semifinal 4
2009 Saint Francis 7–3 5–2 T–2nd (MEL) 17
2010 Saint Francis 10–2 6–1 2nd (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 5
2011 Saint Francis 9–3 3–2 3rd (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 7
2012 Saint Francis 9–3 4–1 T–1st (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 6
2013 Saint Francis 9–3 5–1 1st (MEL) L NAIA Quarterfinal 6
2014 Saint Francis 6–5 4–2 2nd (MEL)
2015 Saint Francis 11–1 6–0 1st (MEL) L NAIA Semifinal 4
2016 Saint Francis 13–1 5–1 2nd (MEL) W NAIA Championship 1
2017 Saint Francis 14–0 6–0 1st (MEL) W NAIA Championship 1
2018 Saint Francis 10–3 4–2 3rd (MEL) L NAIA Semifinal 3
2019 Saint Francis 7–3 4–2 T–2nd (MEL) L NAIA First Round 13
2020 Saint Francis 2–2 2–2 3rd (MEL) 17
2021 Saint Francis 3–6 2–5 6th (MEL)
2022 Saint Francis 4–6 2–6 7th (MEL)
2023 Saint Francis 6–4 5–2 3rd (MEL)
2024 Saint Francis 0–0 0–0
Saint Francis: 234–68 134–38
Total: 348–153–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "DONLEY, KEVIN | Indiana Football Hall of Fame".
  2. ^ "Meet Kevin Donley, the Winningest College Football Coach You've Never Heard Of". bleacherreport.com. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  3. ^ a b "Scott Frost, Matt Campbell and many others honored during American Football Coaches Awards in Charlotte". AFCA.com. 2018-01-09. Archived from the original on 2018-08-11. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  4. ^ "2016 Football Media Guide" (PDF). /. Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  5. ^ "2 Jul 1972, Page 81 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  6. ^ Andy McDonnell (2017-04-13). "Father-Son duo of Donleys work together to build dynasty at USF". WANE. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  7. ^ "Cougar Athletics | University of Saint Francis | Fort Wayne - Staff Directory". www.saintfranciscougars.com. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-09-25.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ a b c "Kevin Donley chosen AFCA NAIA Coach of the Year". University of Saint Francis Cougar Athletics. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  10. ^ "AFCA Announces Division II, III and NAIA Coaches of the Year". American Football Coaches Association. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  11. ^ "Kirby Smart and Kevin Donley Headline 2017 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners". American Football Coaches Association. 2017-12-05. Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  12. ^ "AFCA Names 2016 Regional Coaches of the Year". American Football Coaches Association. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  13. ^ "AFCA Announces 2015 Regional Coach of the Year Winners". American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2015-12-23. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  14. ^ http://www.afca.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=69280&SPID=7858&DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=639385[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ a b "Georgetown College".
  16. ^ "Georgetown College".
  17. ^ "Hall of Fame". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  18. ^ "Georgetown College".
  19. ^ "Red Coat Recipients". Mad Anthonys Children's Foundation. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  20. ^ "Race for the Record". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2015-11-20.

External links

Head football coaches of the Mid-States Football Association
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