Sean_McDonnell
Sean McDonnell
American football player and coach (born 1956)
Sean Patrick McDonnell (born October 15, 1956) is a retired college football coach and former player, best known for his tenure as head football coach at the University of New Hampshire.
McDonnell in 2015 at Spartan Stadium before a game against San Jose State | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1956-10-15) October 15, 1956 (age 67) Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1975–1978 | New Hampshire |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1983–1984 | Hamilton (DC) |
| 1985–1987 | Boston University (WR/TE) |
| 1988 | Boston College (GA) |
| 1989–1990 | Columbia (OLB) |
| 1991–1993 | New Hampshire (WR/QB) |
| 1994–1998 | New Hampshire (OC) |
| 1999–2018 | New Hampshire |
| 2020–2021 | New Hampshire |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 157–104 |
| Tournaments | 14–14 (NCAA Division I-AA/FCS playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 A-10 (2005) 1 CAA (2014) 2 A-10 North Division (2004–2005) 2 CAA North Division (2008–2009) | |
| Awards | |
| 2× Eddie Robinson Award (2005, 2014) | |
 | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021) |
McDonnell, nicknamed "Coach Mac", served as the head football coach of the New Hampshire Wildcats football program from 1999 to 2021.[1] From August 2019 to March 2020, took a leave of absence for medical reasons, with associate head coach Ricky Santos acting as interim head coach for the 2019 season.[2] McDonnell returned to coaching in March 2020.[3] McDonnell announced his retirement on December 1, 2021, at the conclusion of his 30th year as a coach for New Hampshire and 23rd year as head coach of the program.[4][5]
McDonnell won the Eddie Robinson Award in 2005 and 2014, which is given annually to the top head coach in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).[6] McDonnell ranks third all-time in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) victories. He ranks second all-time in wins at New Hampshire, only behind the College Football Hall of Fame inductee he once coached under, Bill Bowes. McDonnell is one of 13 FCS coaches with over 150 wins all-time as a head coach, and also had six wins versus Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents. McDonnell coached as players or had as assistants multiple people who went on to become college football head coaches, including: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Chip Kelly (UCLA), Joe Conlin (Fordham), Tony Trisciani (Elon), Dan Curran (Merrimack), Mike Lichten (University of New England), Ryan Carty (University of Delaware) and his successor at New Hampshire, Ricky Santos. McDonnell has two sons. He lives with his wife in Durham, New Hampshire.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hampshire was limited to a single game during the 2020 football season, contested in the Spring of 2021.
- Fitz, Gary (May 15, 2011). "Changes put UNH sports in tough spot". The Telegraph (Nashua). Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- Connolly, John (August 27, 2019). "New Hampshire football coach Sean McDonnell on leave for health reasons". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- Lessels, Allen (April 16, 2020). "MAC'S BACK: After losing a season to bladder cancer, UNH football coach Sean McDonnell medically cleared". Foster's Daily Democrat. Dover, New Hampshire. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- "Coach Mac Retires". unhwildcats.com. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- "Sean McDonnell spent 23 years as head coach and three decades coaching Wildcats". Foster's Daily Democrat. Dover, New Hampshire. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- "Eddie Robinson Award". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.