Those who knew Ken Donahue would marvel at his devotion to coaching football. His former associates, friends and family would speak of his endless hours and the boundless energy he devoted to his chosen profession. Coach Donahue saw it differently. “Coaching to me is just fun.,” he once said. “It’s a hobby. Some guys like to play golf. I like to coach. I’m one of those lucky people who enjoys what I do.” Ken Donahue made the decision in high school he wanted to be a coach. He told friends his ambition was to be a line coach at Central High School in Fountain City (Knoxville). It’s safe to say Coach Donahue exceeded his early expectations. Experts who have followed college football for the past 50-years would agree Coach Donahue is the most legendary assistant coach in the history of college football. Thirty-eight years in the profession molded him into a coaching giant. Ken Donahue had the privilege of being closely associated with two of the greats of college coaching. He played for University of Tennessee Coach Robert R. Neyland and he coached for Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama. Coach Donahue played tackle for General Neyland and was a member of the 1950 team that went 11-1 and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl. After graduating from the college, he coached at the University of Memphis (Memphis State University), Mississippi State, Alabama and ended his career back at his alma mater. While at Alabama, Donahue was a member of five national championship teams and 12 SEC Championship squads. He was most proud of being named “Working Coach of the Year” in the Southeastern Conference in 1975 and 1985. Tennessee fans will long remember Coach Ken Donahue as the genius behind the Vols defense that beat the University of Miami in the 1986 Sugar Bowl.
