Former 49ers general manager Terry Donahue, best remembered for his successful 20-year run as UCLA's coach, underwent surgery last week for cancer and will begin chemotherapy in the near future.
Donahue, 74, was recently diagnosed with cancer, UCLA announced in a statement. Donahue was released from UCSD's Jacobs Medical Center on Tuesday, four days after undergoing surgery.
UCLA did not disclose the type of cancer that Donahue is battling. He will begin chemotherapy after recovering from surgery, the school announced. The Donahue family has requested privacy during this time.
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In 20 seasons as UCLA’s head coach, beginning in 1976, Donahue’s teams amassed a record of 151-74-8 for a winning percentage of .665. Donahue was a two-time conference coach of the year and holds the record for career conference wins with 98. His 151 wins are the most in UCLA history.
In 1999, then-49ers general manager Bill Walsh hired Donahue to serve as director of player personnel. Donahue replaced Walsh as general manager in 2001. He served four seasons in that role.
The 49ers made the playoffs in Donahue’s first two years as general manager under coach Steve Mariucci. But after a power struggle, Mariucci was fired and Donahue hired Dennis Erickson as coach. The 49ers went 7-9 in 2003 and 2-14 in ’04, leading to the firings of both Donahue and Erickson.