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William Kevin Donley (born July 4, 1951) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Saint Francis, a position he has held since 1997. As of November 2024, Donley has completed 46 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 record for most wins by a NAIA football coach.

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. 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. His playing career continued in college as a linebacker and fullback at Anderson College.

Coaching career

Donley served three seasons as the head football coach for Washington High School and amassed an overall record of 25–5.

Anderson (IN)

After graduating from Anderson University in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve as the linebackers coach and defensive line coach. After one season he was promoted to defensive 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. In 1980, Donley earned a master's degree in education from Ball State University.

Georgetown (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 (PA)

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.

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. 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 with Mary Mulford Donley, whom he married at Devington Baptist Church, Indianapolis when he was a senior in college at Anderson University (m. January 7, 1972):. Currently, his son, Patrick, serves as Co-Offensive Coordinator and his step-son, Joey Didier, serves as Co-Defensive Coordinator for Donley's USF football team.

Awards and honors

• 4-time NAIA National Coach of the Year (2017, 2016, 2004, 1991)
• 4-time AFCA Region 2 (NAIA) Coach of the Year (2017, 2016, 2015, 2008)
• NAIA District 32 Coach of the Year (1991)
• 10-time MSFA MEL Conference Coach of the Year (2015, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999)
• 2-time Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year (1991, 1989)
• 2-time Hoosier-Buckeye Conference Coach of the Year (1981, 1980)
• 20 conference titles in 39 seasons of coaching through 2017
• 8 undefeated regular seasons (2017, 2015, 2008, 2002-2006) through 2017
• first coach in MSFA history to reach the 100-win plateau
• Inductee, NAIA Hall of Fame (2014)
• Inductee, University of Saint Francis Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2008)
• Inductee, Indiana Football Hall of Fame (2005)
• Inductee, Georgetown College Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
• Red coat recipient, Mad Anthonys (2007)

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.

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 College 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

College

See also

• List of college football career coaching wins leaders
• List of college football career coaching losses leaders

References

1. ^ "DONLEY, KEVIN | Indiana Football Hall of Fame".
2. "Meet Kevin Donley, the Winningest College Football Coach You've Never Heard Of". bleacherreport.com. December 6, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
3. ^ "Scott Frost, Matt Campbell and many others honored during American Football Coaches Awards in Charlotte". AFCA.com. January 9, 2018. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
4. ^ "Kevin Donley On Anderson Staff". Springfield News-Sun. August 5, 1976. p. 29. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
5. "2016 Football Media Guide" (PDF). /. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
6. "2 Jul 1972, Page 81 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
7. Andy McDonnell (April 13, 2017). "Father-Son duo of Donleys work together to build dynasty at USF". WANE. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
8. "Cougar Athletics | University of Saint Francis | Fort Wayne - Staff Directory". www.saintfranciscougars.com. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
10. ^ "Kevin Donley chosen AFCA NAIA Coach of the Year". University of Saint Francis Cougar Athletics. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
11. "AFCA Announces Division II, III and NAIA Coaches of the Year". American Football Coaches Association. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
12. "Kirby Smart and Kevin Donley Headline 2017 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners". American Football Coaches Association. December 5, 2017. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
13. "AFCA Names 2016 Regional Coaches of the Year". American Football Coaches Association. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
14. "AFCA Announces 2015 Regional Coach of the Year Winners". American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
15. http://www.afca.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=69280&SPID=7858&DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=639385
16. ^ "Georgetown College".
17. "Georgetown College".
18. "Hall of Fame". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
19. "Georgetown College".
20. "Red Coat Recipients". Mad Anthonys Children's Foundation. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
21. "Race for the Record". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. August 30, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.

External links

• Saint Francis profile

• 1951 births
• Living people
• American football fullbacks
• American football linebackers
• Anderson Ravens football coaches
• Anderson Ravens football players
• California Vulcans football coaches
• Georgetown Tigers football coaches
• High school football coaches in Indiana
• Saint Francis Cougars athletic directors
• Saint Francis Cougars football coaches
• Ball State University alumni
• Sportspeople from Springfield, Ohio
• Coaches of American football from Ohio
• Players of American football from Ohio