Table of Biography
Terry Donahue is a late American football coach and executive. Terry Donahue worked as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins football team from 1976 to 1995.
Early Life
On the 24th of June 1944, Terry Donahue was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States of America. He passed away at the age of 77 years old and held American nationality. He has a zodiac sign of Cancer and his full name is Terrence Michael Donahue. While his religious beliefs, ethical background, and others are still known at the moment.
Donahue has not yet revealed any information related to his family, such as his parents, siblings, and childhood days. Meanwhile, he did not share anything regarding his family members till the time of his death.
Education and Early Career
Following his academic career, he went to St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School in North Hollywood, California, and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He was a walk-on at San Jose State University, Los Angeles Valley College, and then the University of California, Los Angeles after not being recruited in high school.
He spent two seasons with the Bruins as an undersized 6-foot (1.8 m), 190-pound (86 kg) defensive tackle. His 1965 team was the school’s first to win the Rose Bowl. They were dubbed the “Gutty Little Bruins” because no one on the defensive line weighed more than 225 pounds (102 kg).
Terry Donahue – Death
On Sunday, July 4, 2021, after fighting cancer for two years, he died at the age of 77. Moreover, he died at his home in Newport Beach, California,
Professional Carer
After his playing career, Terry Donahue began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 1971. He served as an assistant for five years before being named the head coach in 1976, at the age of 31.
As head coach, Donahue led the UCLA Bruins for 20 seasons from 1976 to 1995, making him the longest-tenured coach in UCLA football history. During his tenure, he compiled a record of 151 wins, 74 losses, and 8 ties, making him the winningest coach in UCLA history. He led the team to 13 bowl games, including four Rose Bowls, and won five Pac-10 championships.
Caption: Terry Donahue giving guidance to his player (Source: NBC Los Angeles)
During his coaching career, he is known for his emphasis on academics and character, as well as his innovative offensive strategies. He helped develop the West Coast Offense, which became a popular offensive scheme in the NFL.
Donahue was offered a position as an NFL coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 1998. He would have rejoined Aikman. However, negotiations with owner Jerry Jones became over, and Chan Gailey was hired instead.
He retired from coaching in 1995, after spending 20 seasons as the head coach of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) football team. During his tenure, he compiled a record of 151 wins, 74 losses, and 8 ties, making him the winningest coach in UCLA history.
Post Career
After retiring from coaching, Donahue worked as a college football analyst for CBS Sports. There he was known for his insightful analysis and expertise. He was also a radio broadcaster for UCLA football games.
In 2000, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding career as a coach. He remained involved in football throughout his retirement, attending games and serving as a mentor to younger coaches.
Awards
As a former football coach at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), received numerous awards and honors throughout his coaching career. He was named the Six-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1993), AFCA National Coach of the Year (1985), and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award (1985).
He was also awarded the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1985), Sporting News Coach of the Year (1985), Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (1985), Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award (1990), and Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2000).
Terry Donahue – Net Worth 2024
During his coaching and football analysis, he earned a good sum of money in his professional career. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated around $2 million-$5 million.
Relationship Status
Caption: Terry Donahue with his wife (Source: The US Sun)
Moving on to his personal life, Terry Donahue married his wife Andrea Donahue. The couple was married for the past 52 years until Terry’s death. With the marriage, the couple has three daughters – Nicole, Michele, and Jennifer.
All of his daughters are married and the couple has 10 grandchildren. The couple also established the ‘Andrea and Terry Donahue Football Grant-in-Aid,’ which provides funding to UCLA Men’s 11 student-athletes under the direction of the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Body Measurements
Caption: Terry Donahue’s player carrying him and celebrating after a win (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Terry Donahue has a pair of light green eyes with grey hair color. Aside from this, his other body measurements are yet to be disclosed.
Social Media
The former American football coach is not alive in this world. So, we can say that, Donahue is not active on social media handles such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.