LOS ANGELES– Terry Donahue, that offered as the 49ers’ basic supervisor for 4 years after a highly effective coaching occupation at UCLA and as a broadcaster, passed away Sunday. He was 77.
The school said Donahue, the winningest trainer in Pac-12 Meeting as well as UCLA football history, died at his residence in Newport Beach after a two-year battle with cancer cells.
” The 49ers organization is deeply saddened to discover of the passing of Terry Donahue,” the team claimed in a declaration. “Terry was a guy of integrity who left an indelible effect on a lot of throughout both the college and also pro level. Our thoughts and also prayers are with his wife, Andrea, and the entire Donahue family members.”
Donahue has one of the most wins (98) of any type of train in Pac-12 background and additionally the most victories (151) in UCLA history. He trained the Bruins from 1971-75, functioning as an aide under Pepper Rodgers and afterwards Dick Vermeil, before taking over as head trainer at age 31 as well as serving from 1976-95.
Donahue had a 151-74-8 mentoring record at UCLA and also a 98-51-5 mark in Pac-12 play. The Bruins won or shared five organization titles during Donahue’s period. He coached such future Hall of Famers as quarterback Troy Aikman, safety and security Kenny Easley as well as outdoors linebacker Jonathan Ogden.
” Terry Donahue was everything I have actually ever wished to be as a male,” Aikman composed in an Instagram post. “An excellent other half, father and also pal. Although nobody is best, he was as near excellent as one might get. At least in my eyes. I held no one in higher respect. Relax in peace Train. I enjoy you.”
After relinquishing mentoring, Donahue entered into broadcasting and also called ready CBS, Fox, and also the NFL Network. According to reports, Donahue in 1998 was being dated by Jerry Jones to instructor the Dallas Cowboys, where he would certainly be reunited with Aikman. Talks with Jones broke down over cash, as well as Donahue joined the 49ers organization– at the request of then-general supervisor Expense Walsh– in 1999.
Donahue acted as the 49ers’ director of player personnel for 2 years prior to he was successful Walsh as the 49ers’ GM in 2001.
” I’m thrilled concerning my future here and expecting the day when I end up being the general supervisor,” Donahue informed this paper in Sept. 2000. “At the same time, I don’t want to make it uncomfortable for Expense. I don’t intend to make it appear as if I’m trying to push him out the door. I’m kind of like the inferior quarterback who wishes to play, yet needs to wait for the first-string quarterback to retire.”
Continual success in the NFL with the 49ers, however, showed to be elusive for Donahue.
San Francisco made the playoffs in Donahue’s initial two periods as GM, going 22-10 under train Steve Mariucci in 2001 as well as 2002. Mariucci was fired on Jan. 15, 2003, just three days after a 31-6 loss to Tampa bay Bay in an NFC local playoff video game, starting the team’s descending spiral.
Mariucci was changed by Dennis Erickson, that had a 9-23 record in two seasons, including a 2-14 mark in 2004, a franchise-worst mark later matched by the 2016 group. The 49ers at that time had faced wage cap issues, compeling them to dismantle their playoff-caliber lineup, and also fared badly with a handful of their early-round draft choices.
Erickson as well as Donahue were both fired by John York in Jan. 2005.
Donahue was the initial to appear in a Rose Bowl game as a player, assistant train, as well as head instructor. The Bruins won the New Year’s Day video game in 1983, ’84, as well as ’86 throughout his training period. He was the very first college trainer to make championship game victories in seven consecutive periods, from 1983 to 1989.
Born in Los Angeles, Terrence Michael Donahue finished from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks. He played freshman football at San Jose State before he transferred to UCLA as small, walk-on defensive tackle in 1965, and helped lead the Bruins to their first-ever Rose Dish win in 1966 with a trouble of previously undefeated and top-ranked Michigan State.
Donahue was sworn in into the University Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He joined the Rose Dish Hall of Fame in 1997, and also journalism box at the Rose Bowl was named for him in 2013.
In a statement, Archie Manning, chairman of the National Football Structure, claimed, “Train Donahue was really a great guy, and it’s tough to take into words just how much he meant to the game. His contributions are countless, and his heritage will certainly live on via the plenty of gamers and assistant instructors he mentored.”
” He illustrates every little thing you aim to be as a coach and also as a human,” current UCLA football instructor Chip Kelly claimed. “Considering that the moment I stepped on university, he’s been an incredible mentor and also one of the most genuine, simple and most difficult males I have actually ever before fulfilled. He liked UCLA with all he had, and I can’t share just how essential his guidance as well as relationship has been for me.”
Donahue underwent surgical treatment for an unrevealed form of cancer cells in May 2019. At the time, the UCLA athletics department said Donahue would certainly begin radiation treatment once he recuperated.
Donahue is endured by Andrea, his better half of 52 years; children Nicole, Michele, and also Jennifer; and 10 grandchildren.
Team author Curtis Pashelka added to this story.