Ed Donatell

Ed Donatell (born February 4, 1957) is an American football coach. He was a defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Huskies, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings.

Ed Donatell

Personal information
Born:	(1957-02-04) February 4, 1957 (age 67) Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Stow (OH)
College:	Glenville State
Career history
As a coach:
Kent State Graduate assistant (1979–1980) Washington Graduate assistant (1981–1982) Pacific Defensive backs coach (1983–1985) Idaho Defensive backs coach (1986–1988) Cal State Fullerton Defensive backs coach (1989) New York Jets Defensive backs coach (1990–1994) Denver Broncos Secondary coach (1995–1999) Green Bay Packers Defensive coordinator (2000–2003) Atlanta Falcons Defensive coordinator (2004–2006) New York Jets Special assistant (2007) Washington Defensive coordinator (2008) Denver Broncos Secondary coach (2009–2010) San Francisco 49ers Defensive backs coach (2011–2014) Chicago Bears Defensive backs coach (2015–2018) Denver Broncos Defensive coordinator (2019–2021) Minnesota Vikings Defensive coordinator (2022)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII)
Coaching stats at PFR

Career

Donatell served as the defensive coordinator for the University of Washington Huskies football team from January to December 2008 under Tyrone Willingham.^[1] He and the entire staff were let go after the winless 2008 season.^[2] Previously he served as a special assistant to the New York Jets. Donatell served as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League under head coach Jim Mora for three seasons, prior to which he occupied this position for the Green Bay Packers.

He eventually started working as the San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. When Fangio joined the Chicago Bears in 2015, Donatell followed.^[3]

On January 15, 2019, the Denver Broncos hired Donatell as their defensive coordinator.^[4] He tested positive for COVID-19 on November 1, 2020,^[5] and missed six games before returning in Week 14.^[6]

On February 4, 2022, it was announced that the Seattle Seahawks had hired Donatell in a senior defensive role.^[7] However, on February 10, it was announced that Donatell would not be joining the Seahawks and would instead join the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive coordinator for the 2022 season.^[8]

On January 19, 2023, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Donatell had been fired.^[9]

Personal life

He graduated from Stow-Munroe Falls High School in Stow, Ohio,^[10] and later earned a master's degree in administration from Kent State University. He is married and has three children.^[2] His son Tom is also a coach and is currently the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders.^[11]

References

1. Donatell to coach Huskies defense
2. Holt takes over Washington's defense, Associated Press, January 5, 2009, Accessed January 5, 2009.
3. Campbell, Rich (January 21, 2015). "Bears hire seasoned assistant Ed Donatell as defensive backs coach". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
4. DiLalla, Aric (January 15, 2019). "Broncos name Ed Donatell as defensive coordinator". Retrieved January 15, 2019.
5. Baca, Michael (November 1, 2020). "Denver Broncos DC Ed Donatell tests positive for COVID-19, won't coach Sunday". Retrieved November 1, 2020.
6. Legwold, Jeff (December 10, 2020). "Denver Broncos DC Ed Donatell expects to return to field Sunday after battle with COVID-19". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
7. "How Seattle Seahawks hire of ed Donatell helps new DC Clint Hurtt". February 4, 2022.
8. "Vikings expected to hire former Broncos DC ed Donatell as defensive coordinator". NFL.com.
9. "Statement from Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Ed Donatell". Vikings.com. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
10. Ridenour, Marla (January 8, 2005). "Savage Joins Search for Coach: Browns General Manager Helps Interview Crennel, Says He Doesn't Think Ferentz Wants to Leave Iowa". Akron Beacon Journal. Beacon Journal Publishing Co. p. C3 – Sports. ... Ed Donatell, an Akron native and product of Stow High School.
11. Manning, Bryan. "Commanders hire Tom Donatell as defensive backs coach". Commanders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 20, 2024.