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Year. Nevertheless, Donovan came under heavy criticism from the
Nittany Lion fan base for questionable play calling. In November 2015, he was fired by Penn State. Following the firing, a former graduate assistant who worked on the staff during the 2014 season claimed on Twitter that the offense was largely designed by the "HFC" and PennLive.com's David Jones wrote an article headlined "John Donovan was scapegoat for rebuild that will take longer than fans can accept." However, Penn State won the Big Ten Championship the year after Donovan was fired, as new OC hire Joe Moorhead implemented his own system and employed a more accurate, more mobile quarterback,
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marks in school history dating back to 1945, gaining at least 4,400 yards each season, including a school record 4,936 yards in 2012. The
Commodores averaged 30.0 points per game in 2012, marking the first time in school history they averaged 30 or more points per game, and followed with another program record of 30.1 points per game in 2013."
382:
In
January 2014, Donovan followed Franklin to Penn State as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. During his time at Penn State, Donovan coached TEs Jesse James and Mike Gesicki, both of whom were drafted into the NFL. While Donovan was the OC, Saquon Barkley won the BTN.com Freshman of the
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ran for 1,193 yards in 2011 and 1,141 yards in 2012 to become the first
Vanderbilt player with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in program history. Stacy earned second team All-SEC honors and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2013. Donovan's offensive units earned three of the top four total yardage
403:
AFC Championship appearance season, which included a game that they went a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone. Following the 2018 season, Donovan was named the assistant running backs coach. In 2019, while being coached by
Donovan and Terry Robiskie, RB Leonard Fournette had his most productive season
368:
On
January 13, 2011, Donovan was named as offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores football team, rejoining former Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin. These were "three of the most productive offensive seasons in the program's modern-era history". Under
347:
coach for the next two seasons, before being reassigned back to the running backs in 2008 amidst multiple coaching changes in the coaching staff. Friedgen himself was later removed as head coach of the
Terrapins in December 2010, leaving many Maryland assistants to look for jobs elsewhere. With
416:, added Donovan to his coaching staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. On November 7, 2021, Donovan was fired by the Washington Huskies. The hire was met with substantial criticism, and Donovan's tenure at Washington was very miserable.
294:
football team. During his freshmen year, the defensive coordinator was Chip Kelly, and
Donovan often served as the scout team quarterback. He later started as a defensive back. While at Johns Hopkins, Donovan worked as a summer intern for the
436:
Donovan married his wife Stacey (nÊe Spicer) in May 2005. The couple has three children named John
Patrick, Cate, and Shea. All four of Donovan's grandparents were born in Ireland. Donovan is a supporter of the New York Mets.
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On March 21, 2016, Donovan was hired by the
Jacksonville Jaguars to be offensive quality control coach. After the 2016 season, he was named offensive assistant. Former Jaguars' offensive coordinator
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coordinator for the Terrapins. In 2005, Donovan was promoted to the running backs coach. He moved to the
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team in 1997. That season, the Wildcats posted a 12â1 record and were ranked number one in
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Between 2001 and 2004, after following Friedgen to Maryland, he primarily served as a
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538:. The Frederick News-Post. Associated Press. January 25, 2008. Archived from
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credited Donovan as "instrumental to the Jaguars' red zone plan" in their
749:"Penn State Football Announces Firing of Offensive Coordinator Donovan"
311:, while simultaneously serving as an assistant coach under head coach
893:"BREAKING: John Donovan Fired as Washington's Offensive Coordinator"
645:"Ralph Friedgen exits with win as Maryland romps in Military Bowl"
724:
816:"Jaguars Notebook: Perfect red zone game impressive and rare"
412:
On January 10, 2020, the Washington Huskies' new head coach,
935:. Vanderbilt University Commodores Athletics. Archived from
356:, Donovan was assigned with the play calling duties for the
307:. He later moved on to finish earn his master's degree from
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coach who currently is the senior offensive analyst for the
1069:
Players of American football from Bergen County, New Jersey
647:. ESPN. Associated Press. December 29, 2010. Archived from
615:"Maryland's John Donovan will call plays at Military Bowl"
775:"John Donovan was scapegoat for rebuild with years to go"
868:"Washington Hires John Donovan as Offensive Coordinator"
801:"Former Players Critical of Playcalling on Social Media"
563:"Terrapins' Friedgen Makes Changes to Coaching Staff"
587:
Prisbell, Eric and Steve Yanda (December 19, 2010).
92:
87:
76:
71:
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464:. University of Maryland Athletics. Archived from
985:"Husky Fans, You Can't Hurt JD--He's a Met Fan"
589:"Ralph Friedgen out as Maryland football coach"
256:. He most recently the senior analyst for the
16:American football player and coach (born 1974)
510:"Donovan Named Terps New Running Backs Coach"
352:moving to take the head coaching position at
8:
1094:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football coaches
1084:Coaches of American football from New Jersey
672:"James Franklin unveils his offensive staff"
424:On April 18, 2022, Donovan was hired by the
24:
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454:
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315:. He was temporarily promoted to coach the
720:"Closer look at Penn State's staff so far"
490:. CBS. Associated Press. November 29, 2000
23:
1109:Penn State Nittany Lions football coaches
153:Offensive coordinator/running backs coach
1079:Johns Hopkins Blue Jays football players
842:"Jaguars Assistant RB Coach named UW OC"
512:. CSTV. January 27, 2005. Archived from
209:Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
446:
1104:Vanderbilt Commodores football coaches
840:Harvey, Demetrius (January 10, 2020).
747:Jourdan Rodrigue (November 29, 2015).
161:Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach
7:
1119:Washington Huskies football coaches
1099:Maryland Terrapins football coaches
1089:Villanova Wildcats football coaches
290:Donovan played three years for the
1064:People from River Edge, New Jersey
613:Orton, Kathy (December 23, 2010).
14:
1074:American football defensive backs
907:"Packers finalize coaching staff"
561:Carig, Marc (January 25, 2008).
248:(born September 11, 1974) is an
718:John Moyer (January 17, 2014).
670:Low, Chris (January 13, 2011).
173:Offensive quality control coach
105:Assistant defensive backs coach
1:
866:maxvroom (January 10, 2020).
488:"Terps Tab Friedgen As Coach"
201:Assistant running backs coach
1114:Jacksonville Jaguars coaches
301:Villanova Wildcats football
1135:
933:"Player Bio: John Donovan"
462:"Player Bio: John Donovan"
428:as their senior analyst.
239:
235:
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728:. ESPN Internet Ventures
369:Donovan's direction, RB
262:National Football League
229:Senior offensive analyst
40:Senior offensive analyst
21:American football player
820:The Florida Times-Union
292:Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
348:offensive coordinator
121:Recruiting coordinator
66:River Edge, New Jersey
1013:Green Bay Packers bio
803:. September 5, 2015.
755:. Centre Daily Times
536:"Terps hire coaches"
391:Jacksonville Jaguars
193:Jacksonville Jaguars
177:Jacksonville Jaguars
165:Jacksonville Jaguars
45:Personal information
1026:at VUCommodores.com
939:on January 17, 2011
895:. November 7, 2021.
781:. November 30, 2015
753:www.centredaily.com
625:on October 10, 2012
619:The Washington Post
593:The Washington Post
567:The Washington Post
542:on October 12, 2012
404:as a professional.
272:from 1993 to 1996.
189:Offensive assistant
145:Running backs coach
129:Running backs coach
26:
1020:at GoPSUSports.com
814:O'Halloran, Ryan.
137:Quarterbacks coach
113:Graduate assistant
72:Career information
60:September 11, 1974
846:bigcatcountry.com
468:on March 17, 2012
426:Green Bay Packers
420:Green Bay Packers
397:Nathaniel Hackett
297:Carolina Panthers
258:Green Bay Packers
250:American football
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213:Green Bay Packers
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1030:John Donovan
994:February 24,
992:. Retrieved
988:
983:Raley, Dan.
978:
968:February 24,
966:. Retrieved
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937:the original
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309:Georgia Tech
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246:John Donovan
245:
244:
207:(2020â2021)
159:(2014â2015)
151:(2011â2013)
143:(2008â2010)
135:(2006â2007)
119:(2001â2004)
111:(1998â2000)
109:Georgia Tech
25:John Donovan
18:
1054:1974 births
943:January 31,
911:packers.com
877:January 10,
825:January 10,
785:January 10,
732:January 22,
703:January 10,
678:January 31,
655:January 31,
629:January 31,
598:January 31,
572:January 31,
546:January 31,
520:January 31,
494:January 31,
472:January 31,
345:quarterback
286:Early years
93:As a coach:
83:(1993â1996)
1048:Categories
1034:Rivals.com
441:References
414:Jimmy Lake
408:Washington
378:Penn State
364:Vanderbilt
354:Vanderbilt
341:recruiting
205:Washington
157:Penn State
149:Vanderbilt
56:1974-09-11
917:April 18,
371:Zac Stacy
101:Villanova
37:Position:
963:the42.ie
779:pennlive
335:Maryland
329:Maryland
141:Maryland
133:Maryland
125:Maryland
117:Maryland
77:College:
319:in the
260:of the
225:Florida
127:(2005)
103:(1997)
989:si.com
674:. ESPN
323:after
50:Born:
996:2022
970:2022
945:2011
919:2022
879:2020
853:2022
827:2020
787:2020
761:2015
734:2014
725:ESPN
705:2020
680:2011
657:2011
631:2011
600:2011
574:2011
548:2011
522:2011
496:2011
474:2011
401:2017
217:2022
197:2019
185:2018
181:2017
169:2016
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