Saint Francis Announces 2021 Football Schedule, Donley Extended
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis has given Head Football Coach Kevin Donley a contract extension extending Donley's future at USF through 2026.
Donley holds the NAIA record for career wins with 335 wins, is No. 7 on the collegiate coaching list and is the winningest active collegiate coach heading into his 43rd season in 2021.
"Coach Donley sets the tone for everything USF Athletics has been about," USF Director of Athletics Mike McCaffrey said. "He is going to be here for as long as he wants to be as our head football coach."
"I understand some of our competitors may want to suggest that Coach Donley is looking to retire, but we can assure everyone that the fire continues to burn as much as it ever has and Coach D will be here for the foreseeable future," McCaffrey emphasized.
Donley secured USF's first NAIA Football Championship Series title with a 38-17 win over previously undefeated Baker University on Dec. 17, 2016. USF went 14-0 in 2017 on its way to back-to-back NAIA Championships and the Cougars took eventual 2018 champ Morningside to overtime in the NAIA Semifinal on Dec. 1 on the Mustangs' home turf.
Donley is a back-to-back NAIA Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017, and a 10-time Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Coach of the Year. He directed USF to its 13th MSFA MEL championship in 2017. Donley, 69, was inducted into the NAIA Football Hall of Fame in January 2014. With the blessing and support of then-USF President Sr. Elise Kriss, Donley started the USF Football program in 1997.
Donley also captured the NAIA National Championship title in 1991 as head coach of Georgetown College.
Donley has a 221-52 record in 23 seasons at USF including 21 consecutive winning seasons. USF finished 2-2 in a Covid-shortened Spring 2021 season but will look to have a full schedule again this fall.
The Cougars will open their season on Saturday, September 18 on the road when they face the Judson University Eagles for the first time in program history.
Click HERE to view the 2021 USF Football schedule.