Sport(s) Football 1964–1984 Alabama (assistant) Positions Lineman 1956–1960 Tennessee (assistant) | 1951–1955 Memphis State (line) Role American football player 1947–1950 Tennessee Name Ken Donahue | |
Born February 28, 1925
Corryton, Tennessee ( 1925-02-28 ) 1961–1963 Mississippi State (assistant) Died March 21, 2001, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | ||
Education University of Tennessee | ||
Ken Donahue (February 28, 1925 – March 21, 2001) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and served as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant. Donahue and four other men, Pat Dye, Bill Oliver, and Paul Bryant, created the multiple defense scheme that allowed the players to switch defenses quickly. The 4-3 and 5-2 schemes are still used by NCAA and NFL teams today. The scheme became popular because it allowed players to learn a minimum amount of technique, while allowing them to maximize the use of their strengths.
Following his tenure at Alabama, Donahue was hired as the defensive coordinator for Tennessee. He is best remembered for the 1985 season, when his defense held the Vols' final seven opponents to just four touchdowns, and provided a major catalyst for the team's 35-7 upset of Miami in the Sugar Bowl. n Donahue died on March 21, 2001 at the age of 76.
