Bill Donohoe Explained

Bill Donohoe
Number:9
Position:Halfback
Birth Date:1 April 1904
Birth Place:Carnegie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:San Dimas, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lbs:165
High School:Edgewood
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College:Carnegie Tech
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Statlabel1:Games
Statvalue1:8
Pfr:DonoBi20

William Wilson Donohoe (April 1, 1904 – October 9, 1972), sometimes listed as Bill Donohue, was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the Carnegie Institute of Technology—now known as Carnegie Mellon University—and professionally for the Frankford Yellow Jackets of the National Football League (NFL). Donohoe served as head football coach at Saint Francis College—now known as Saint Francis University—in Loretto, Pennsylvania from 1928 to 1929 and at his alma mater, Carnegie Tech, from 1946 to 1948.

Early years

A native of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, he attended Edgewood High School in Pittsburgh.[1]

College football

Donohoe played college football as a halfback for Carnegie Tech from 1924 to 1926.[1] He led the 1926 Carnegie Tech Tartans football team to a 7–2 record, including a victory over Notre Dame in a game that was ranked by ESPN as the fourth-greatest upset in college football history.[2] He also led the team to a 14–0 victory over intra-city rival Pitt.[3] On his graduation from Carnegie in June 1927, The Pittsburgh Press described him as the "real star" of the team and "one of the greatest of all Carnegie backfield men."[4] In 1946, he was selected as the greatest left halfback in the school's history.[5]

Professional football

In July 1927, Donohoe signed to play professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the Frankford Yellow Jackets.[6] During Frankford's 1927 season, he played appeared in a total of eight NFL games, three as a starter.[7]

Coaching career and military service

After his playing career ended, Donohue coached the sport at Saint Francis College, Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, and St. Mary's High School in Miami. During World War II, Donohoe served in the army.

Donohue returned to Carnegie Tech as head football coach in March 1946.[8] He also served as the school's basketball coach. He resigned from both positions in December 1948. The Carnegie football program won only one game and sustained a 19-game losing streak during Donohoe's three years as head coach.[9]

Later years

Donohoe died in 1972 at age 68 in San Dimas, California.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bill Donohue. Pro Football Archives. April 10, 2021.
  2. News: Tech Crushes Irish, 19 to 0, Before 45,000: Skibos Upset Dope as Donohoe and Harpster Ride Roughshod Over Eleven Good Enough to Whip Army. The Pittsburgh Sunday Post. T.C. Youll. November 28, 1926. I-1, III-4. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Carnegie Tech Conquers Pitt, 14 to 0: Bill Donohoe Leads Skibos To City Title. Pittsburgh Gazette Times. October 24, 1926. III-2. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Tartans Lose Many Stars by Graduation. The Pittsburgh Press. June 5, 1927. 20. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Donohoe Ranked Tops as Player. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jack Sell. March 14, 1946. 14. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Lloyd Yoder May Play on Coast; Donohoe to Become Professional. Pittsburgh Gazette Times. July 13, 1927. 11. Newspapers.com.
  7. Web site: Bill Donohoe. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 24, 2020.
  8. News: Donohoe Named Carnegie Tech Coach. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 12, 1946. 14. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Tech May Replace Donohoe With Part-Time Workers. The Pittsburgh Press. December 27, 1948. 13. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Sidelights on Sport. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Al Abrams. October 25, 1972. 26. Newspapers.com.