James F. Donnelly

James F. Donnelly
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born (1942-10-15) October 15, 1942
Nashville, Tennessee
Playing career
1962–1964 Middle Tennessee
Position(s) Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1967–1973 Father Ryan HS (TN) (assistant)
1974–1975 Father Ryan HS (TN)
1976 Vanderbilt (offensive backfield)
1977–1978 Austin Peay
1979–1998 Middle Tennessee
Head coaching record
Overall 154–94–1 (college)
21–2 (high school)
Tournaments 7–7 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)

Statistics

Accomplishments and honors
Championships
5 OVC (1977, 1985, 1989–1990, 1992)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2013 (profile)

James F. "Boots" Donnelly (born October 15, 1942) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Austin Peay State University from 1977 to 1978 and at Middle Tennessee State University from 1979 to 1998, compiling a career college football coaching record of 154–94–1. Donnelly was inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in 1993.[1] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2013.[2] Donnelly currently serves as the CEO of Backfield in Motion, an organization dedicated to fostering academic and athletic abilities among inner city youth.[2]

Coaching career

Donnelly began his coaching career at his alma mater, Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as the head football coach there from 1974 to 1975, tallying a mark of 21–2. His 1974 team went 13–0 and won the Tennessee Class AAA title. In 1976 Donnelly joined the football staff at Vanderbilt University, coaching the offensive backfield under head coach, Fred Pancoast.[3]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Austin Peay Governors (Ohio Valley Conference) (1977–1978)
1977 Austin Peay 8–3 6–1 1st
1978 Austin Peay 6–4 3–3 4th
Austin Peay: 14–7 9–4
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (Ohio Valley Conference) (1979–1998)
1979 Middle Tennessee 1–9 1–5 6th
1980 Middle Tennessee 2–8 2–5 T–6th
1981 Middle Tennessee 6–5 4–4 T–4th
1982 Middle Tennessee 8–3 4–3 T–3rd
1983 Middle Tennessee 8–2 5–2 T–2nd
1984 Middle Tennessee 11–3 5–2 T–2nd L Division I-AA Semifinal
1985 Middle Tennessee 11–1 7–0 1st L Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1986 Middle Tennessee 6–5 4–3 T–3rd
1987 Middle Tennessee 6–5 4–2 3rd
1988 Middle Tennessee 7–4 4–2 T–2nd
1989 Middle Tennessee 9–4 6–0 1st L Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1990 Middle Tennessee 11–2 5–1 T–1st L Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1991 Middle Tennessee 9–4 6–1 2nd L Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1992 Middle Tennessee 10–3 8–0 1st L Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1993 Middle Tennessee 5–6 4–4 T–4th
1994 Middle Tennessee 8–3–1 7–1 2nd L Division I-AA First Round
1995 Middle Tennessee 7–4 6–2 3rd
1996 Middle Tennessee 6–5 4–4 T–4th
1997 Middle Tennessee 4–6 2–5 6th
1998 Middle Tennessee 5–5 5–2 T–2nd
Middle Tennessee: 133–80–1 93–48
Total: 147–87–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title

References

  1. ↑ "Blue Raider Hall of Fame". Middle Tennessee State University. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "NFF to induct Boots Donnelly into Hall of Fame". The Daily Herald. May 30, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  3. ↑ "'Boots' To Head Governors". Kentucky New Era. December 14, 1976. Retrieved September 19, 2013.

External links

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