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Football
Donovan, Michael
Michael Donovan
- Title:
- Assistant Coach - Defensive Line
- Email:
- michael_donovan@brown.edu
- Joined Brown:
- December 2018-March 2023
- Alma Mater:
- Bentley University '11
Recruiting Areas: Louisiana, Texas
Michael Donovan spent four years, three seasons, on the Brown coaching staff from 2019-2022 as an Assistant Coach, Defensive Line. Donovan also took over the program’s recruiting coordinator duties prior to the 2021 season.
In his first season at Brown in 2019, Donovan coached defensive tackle Michael Hoecht '20, who finished with 4.5 sacks and earned Second Team All-Ivy honors. Hoecht went on to sign with the Los Angeles Rams and was a member of the team’s Super Bowl LVI win. Brown's 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to his arrival on College Hill, Donovan spent two years on James Perry’s staff at Bryant before following Perry to Brown.
During his two seasons at Bryant in 2017 and 2018, Donovan coached three different All-NEC players and oversaw a pass rush that produced two consecutive seasons where a pass rusher broke the school’s record for sacks in a season. During the 2018 season, Donovan coached a defensive line that tied for first in the conference with 30 sacks. Defensive end Tomas Wright broke the school record for sacks with 12.5 in 2018 and earned First Team All-NEC. Under Donovan’s tutelage, Bryant's defensive line saw immediate results in 2017, with two of his players earning All-NEC honors. Donovan's group combined to post 14.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss in 2017. Also, Donovan coached the national leader in blocked kicks as the Bulldogs blocked eight on the year.
Donovan spent the previous three seasons at Harvard University. In 2016, he guided a secondary that helped Harvard go 7-3 and rank 15th in the nation in total defense. Under Donovan’s watch, three players earned All-Ivy honors.
The Crimson captured consecutive Ivy League titles in 2014 and 2015, coaching a defensive line that helped Harvard lead the nation in scoring defense (12.3 ppg) and rank fourth in rushing defense (86.8 ypg) as part of an undefeated 2014 campaign. Under his watch, Zack Hodges was a co-recipient of the Asa S. Bushnell Cup given to the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Ivy League.
A 2011 graduate of Bentley University with a degree in corporate finance and accounting, Donovan earned his master’s degree in taxation from Bentley in 2012. He began his coaching career at Stoughton High School, serving as a defensive line and wide receivers coach in 2009. Donovan also worked as a student coach at Bentley during the spring of 2010.
He and his wife, Kaitlyn, reside in Taunton, Mass.
COACHING TIMELINE
Michael Donovan spent four years, three seasons, on the Brown coaching staff from 2019-2022 as an Assistant Coach, Defensive Line. Donovan also took over the program’s recruiting coordinator duties prior to the 2021 season.
In his first season at Brown in 2019, Donovan coached defensive tackle Michael Hoecht '20, who finished with 4.5 sacks and earned Second Team All-Ivy honors. Hoecht went on to sign with the Los Angeles Rams and was a member of the team’s Super Bowl LVI win. Brown's 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to his arrival on College Hill, Donovan spent two years on James Perry’s staff at Bryant before following Perry to Brown.
During his two seasons at Bryant in 2017 and 2018, Donovan coached three different All-NEC players and oversaw a pass rush that produced two consecutive seasons where a pass rusher broke the school’s record for sacks in a season. During the 2018 season, Donovan coached a defensive line that tied for first in the conference with 30 sacks. Defensive end Tomas Wright broke the school record for sacks with 12.5 in 2018 and earned First Team All-NEC. Under Donovan’s tutelage, Bryant's defensive line saw immediate results in 2017, with two of his players earning All-NEC honors. Donovan's group combined to post 14.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss in 2017. Also, Donovan coached the national leader in blocked kicks as the Bulldogs blocked eight on the year.
Donovan spent the previous three seasons at Harvard University. In 2016, he guided a secondary that helped Harvard go 7-3 and rank 15th in the nation in total defense. Under Donovan’s watch, three players earned All-Ivy honors.
The Crimson captured consecutive Ivy League titles in 2014 and 2015, coaching a defensive line that helped Harvard lead the nation in scoring defense (12.3 ppg) and rank fourth in rushing defense (86.8 ypg) as part of an undefeated 2014 campaign. Under his watch, Zack Hodges was a co-recipient of the Asa S. Bushnell Cup given to the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Ivy League.
A 2011 graduate of Bentley University with a degree in corporate finance and accounting, Donovan earned his master’s degree in taxation from Bentley in 2012. He began his coaching career at Stoughton High School, serving as a defensive line and wide receivers coach in 2009. Donovan also worked as a student coach at Bentley during the spring of 2010.
He and his wife, Kaitlyn, reside in Taunton, Mass.
COACHING TIMELINE
| Season | School/Team | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | Harvard | Offensive Coaching Assistant / Assistant Football Operations Coordinator |
| 2013 | Delaware | Defensive Quality Control Coach |
| 2014-2016 | Harvard | Assistant Coach, Defensive Line (2014) / Assistant Coach, Defensive Backs (2015-2016) |
| 2017-2018 | Bryant | Assistant Coach, Defensive Line |
| 2019-2022 | Brown | Assistant Coach, Defensive Line (2019-pres.) / Recruiting Coordinator (2021-pres.) |
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