| John Donovan |
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 | Position:
Offensive Coordinator / Running Backs Coach
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| Alma Mater:
Johns Hopkins, 1997
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John Donovan, a versatile offensive coach at the University of Maryland for the last decade, will serve as Vanderbilt offensive coordinator under Head Coach James Franklin.
Franklin and Donovan were key assistants under Ralph Friedgen at Maryland - Franklin serving as coordinator and Donovan working with running backs. When Franklin accepted the Vanderbilt post, Donovan called offensive plays during the Terrapins' impressive 51-20 Military Bowl victory over East Carolina in December.
The resounding postseason win gave Maryland a 9-4 overall record - and ownership of one of the most successful turnarounds in the NCAA last year.
The 2010 Terrapins featured one of the top offensive attacks in Maryland history. The unit ranked second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring offense, averaging 32.2 points per game. The offense, directed by ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O'Brien at quarterback, featured a balance attack, averaging 138.2 rushing yards and 214.7 passing yards.
The unit also was one of the nation's most efficient, helping Maryland rank sixth nationally in turnover margin by committing just 14 turnovers on the season. Donovan's two top running backs, Davin Meggett and Da'Rel Scott, each rushed for more than 700 yards during the 2010 season.
It marked Donovan's fourth season working with Maryland running backs. In 2008, Donovan's second season mentoring the position, Scott enjoyed a breakout campaign with 1,133 rushing yards. It was the seventh highest single-season total in school history, and helped Scott receive first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.
Scott, selected by the New York Giants in the 2011 NFL Draft, also was twice named Most Valuable Player of postseason victories by the Terrapins: in 2008 following a Humanitarian Bowl win over Nevada and in 2010 following the overwhelming Military Bowl triumph over East Carolina.
Donovan served the 2006 and 2007 campaigns as Maryland's quarterbacks coach. In 2006, Donovan mentored All-ACC quarterback Sam Hollenbach to his finest season, throwing for 2,371 yards and 15 touchdowns, and the eventual MVP trophy of Maryland's Champs Sports Bowl victory over Purdue. In 2007, Chris Turner threw for nearly 2,000 yards in eight starts, finishing third in the ACC in passing efficiency and helping the Terps knock off Top 10 foes Rutgers and Boston College.
Donovan's first year as an offensive assistant at Maryland came in 2005 when he coached the Terrapins' running backs. That season, the Terps received strong performances from several backs, including eventual All-ACC selection Lance Ball.
Prior to taking over as running backs coach, Donovan's position in the recruiting department included maintaining and organizing the Terrapins' recruiting database, setting up all recruiting events (official and unofficial visits, game day visits, recruiting weekends, etc.) and serving as director of all Maryland football camps. In addition, he oversaw the group of graduate assistants employed by the team from 2001-04.
A native of River Edge, N.J., Donovan moved into FBS-level football as an offensive graduate assistant at Georgia Tech, working directly with then-offensive coordinator Friedgen. In that time, he broke down all opponent game film, assisted with coaching quarterbacks (1998) and the offensive line (1999-2000) while helping Friedgen with game planning and practice preparation. The three-year tenure witnessed Tech winning an ACC Championship (1998) and the nation's leading offense (1999).
Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Donovan worked as an assistant secondary coach at Villanova, helping the Wildcats post a 12-1 record in 1997 and a six-week hold on the No. 1 ranking in Division I-AA. His responsibilities with the Wildcats included coaching the team's safeties, coordinating scout teams for the offense and special teams and breaking down game film for the defense.
A 1997 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Donovan was a three-year starter at defensive back for the Blue Jays, earning 12 career interceptions. He was twice named an all-conference. While in school, he worked as a training camp intern for the Carolina Panthers. He later went on to earn his master's degree in economics from Georgia Tech.
Donovan and his wife, Stacey, are the parents of three young children: 5-year-old son John Patrick, and daughters, Cate, 3, and Shea, 1.
The Donovan File
Personal
Date of Birth - Sept. 11, 1974
Hometown - River Edge, N.J.
Alma Mater - Johns Hopkins University
Degrees - Bachelors, John Hopkins, 1997
Masters, economics, Georgia Tech
Family - wife, Stacey; son, John Patrick, and daughters, Cate and Shea
Donovan's Coaching Career
2008-10 - Maryland (running backs)
2006-07 - Maryland (quarterbacks)
2005 - Maryland (running backs)
2001-04 - Maryland (assistant recruiting coordinator)
1998-2000 - Georgia Tech (offensive graduate assistant)
1997 - Villanova (assistant secondary)
