One of the greatest UCLA football head coaches of all-time is the latest to battle one of the most insidious diseases in the history of mankind.
UCLA has confirmed that Terry Donahue was recently diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and underwent surgery this past Friday. The 74-year-old Donahue was released from the hospital Tuesday morning and is set to begin chemotherapy.
“The Donahue family appreciates everyone’s well wishes but requests privacy at this time,” the football program wrote in its release.
Donahue, who played his college football for the Bruins in the mid-sixties, served as the offensive line coach at his alma mater from 1971-75 before replacing Dick Vermeil, who left to take the same job with the Philadelphia Eagles, and taking over as head coach in 1976.
In 20 seasons leading UCLA, Donahue led the Bruins to a school-record 151 wins. From 1976-95, Donahue captured five Pac-12 championships and two conference Coach of the Year honors. He was the first coach in NCAA history to win a bowl game in seven consecutive seasons, and had a 10-9-1 record against crosstown rival USC.
In 2000, Donahue was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
