In a significant shift within the University of Pennsylvania’s athletics department, Steve Donahue has been relieved of his duties as the men’s basketball coach. This decision comes after the team’s lackluster season concluded with a 8-19 record, marking Donahue’s ninth year in the role. The announcement was made by Athletic Director Alanna Wren just two days following the team’s loss to Princeton in their final matchup of the season.
Wren acknowledged Donahue’s dedication to the program and his role in nurturing student-athletes, asserting his commitment to the values of the Ivy League. “Steve has been steadfast in his commitment to the program and the development of our student-athletes,” Wren stated, emphasizing her respect for his representation of Penn throughout his career. However, she noted that the team’s performance did not meet the university’s expectations for competitive success, necessitating a change in leadership to fulfill the championship aspirations held by the student body, alumni, and supporters.
During Donahue’s tenure, the Quakers achieved a memorable milestone by securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament once, having won the Ivy League Tournament at their home venue, the Palestra in 2018. Unfortunately, their tournament journey ended abruptly with a first-round exit against top-seeded Kansas. Over his nine seasons, Donahue’s record stood at 131-130 overall, breaking even in conference play with a 63-63 record.
The university has already initiated a nationwide search for a new head coach, with Parker Executive Search aiding in the process. Donahue, aged 62, previously made significant contributions as an assistant coach at Penn from 1991-2000 under Fran Dunphy, a coaching legend in Philadelphia’s Big 5 who is stepping down from his recent position at La Salle. Before his time at Penn, Donahue also held head coaching roles at Cornell from 2000-2010 and Boston College from 2010-2014, further solidifying his career in college basketball.
