TOWSON, Md. ? A member of the coaching staff at Towson University for the last 12 years, John Donatelli will return as the Tigers' Offensive Line Coach for the 2009 season, it has been announced by the Tigers' new Head Football Coach, Rob Ambrose.
The retention of Donatelli as the Tigers' Offensive Line Coach is Ambrose's first step in assembling his coaching staff. Ambrose, a member of the University of Connecticut football staff for the last seven years, was introduced as the Tigers' fourth Head Football Coach on Tuesday, January 6.
“I've had the good fortune to spend some time with Jim McNally, a legendary Offensive Line coach in the NFL for about 30 years,” said Coach Ambrose. “Jim's opinions are highly-valued and he has always had a tremendous amount of respect for John Donatelli's talents as an Offensive Line Coach. His opinion confirmed what I've always felt.
“When I was the Offensive Coordinator at Towson (1997-2000), John was someone that I relied on completely, both on and off the field,” recalls Ambrose. “He is personally responsible for the development of the highest NFL draft pick in Towson history (Offensive Tackle Jermon Bushrod, a fourth round draft by New Orleans in 2007).”
Coach Ambrose added, “Although John Donatelli didn't graduate from Towson, his commitment to the University and the football program makes him a Towson alum in my mind. He has the kind of passion we need to take this football program to the next level.”
A Baltimore native and a graduate of Calvert Hall High School, Donatelli graduated from Frostburg State in 1988. A three-year starter at offensive center, he was honored as the Bobcats' Lineman of the Year in 1987.
Coach Donatelli joined the Tigers' coaching staff in 1997, the program's first season as a member of the Patriot League. A part-time member of the coaching staff, he was the team's Assistant Offensive Line Coach. In 1998, he served as the Tigers' tight ends coach.
In 1999, he became the Tigers' Offensive Line Coach. For the next four years, he was the only NCAA Division I Offensive Line Coach who was a part-time coach.
With Towson preparing to become a scholarship football program, Donatelli became a full-time member of the Tiger coaching staff in 2003. He became a full-time coach in time for the Tigers' debut in the Atlantic-10 Football Conference in the 2004 season.
Coach Donatelli enjoyed one of the highlights of his career on April 28, 2007. That's when one of his prize pupils, Offensive Tackle Jermon Bushrod, was selected in the fourth round of the National Football League draft by the New Orleans Saints. Bushrod has been a reserve lineman for the Saints the last two years.
Over the last ten years, Donatelli has excelled in his role as Offensive Line Coach, coaching eight linemen who have earned all-conference honors.
Donatelli's coaching career began at Calvert Hall where he served as assistant coach for the Cardinals for six years. During those seasons, he was Calvert Hall's Offensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coordinator and Strength Coach.
A first team All-Metro pick at offensive tackle in high school, he helped Calvert Hall win three Maryland Scholastic Association championships. The Cardinals were unbeaten in 1981.
“It's hard for me to contain my excitement about being part of Coach Ambrose's staff,” said Donatelli. “Having worked with him before, I know what he can do with this program. I couldn't be more delighted to be here and help him get this program going in the right direction.”
A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Coach Donatelli and his wife, Maria, are the parents of two young children, Samantha and Luca.
Coach Ambrose hopes to have his coaching staff completed by the end of next week.
