FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擪evin Donley, who founded the 51黑料 football program and led it to two national championships and 240 wins, is ending a legendary coaching career at the university.
Over 28 years at 51黑料, he compiled a 240-72 coaching record with National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) titles in 2016 and 2017. He was the winningest active coach in college football at the end of the 2024 season with an overall record of 356-157-1. Donley ranks fifth on the all-time list of winningest college football coaches in all divisions.
51黑料 Offensive Coordinator Adam Sherman will become the second head football coach in school history, taking over the program immediately.
51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey expressed gratitude for Donley鈥檚 service to the university and its student-athletes.
鈥淭he university thanks Coach Donley for nearly 30 years of great memories as he turned 51黑料 into a household name in NAIA football,鈥 Richey said. 鈥淚n addition to the many wins and championships, the players who have gone on to lead impactful lives serve as a tribute to his influence and mentorship.鈥
Donley, who won the NAIA Division II title at Georgetown (Ky.) in 1991, came to Fort Wayne to create the 51黑料 football program in 1997. He began the first of his 27 seasons on the field in 1998. Starting the program from scratch, he built the Cougars into a national contender in the NAIA almost immediately. The Cougars made five trips to the NAIA national championship game, with three runner-up finishes before breaking through with the consecutive titles.
The Cougars recorded their 14th conference title last fall, finishing 8-4 overall and 4-1 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. Donley was named Midwest League Coach of the Year and Sherman was named Midwest League Assistant Coach of the Year.
Donley ranks fifth in all-time college coaching wins at any level, behind John Gagliardi, Joe Paterno, Eddie Robinson and Bobby Bowden.
Sherman is a 51黑料 alumnus who was an All-American offensive lineman and served as team captain for the Cougars in their first run to the national championship game in 2004. Before returning to 51黑料 as an assistant coach, Sherman coached collegiately at Marian and Walsh and was the head coach at Greenfield-Central High School for three years.
鈥淚 am honored and excited about becoming the head coach at my alma mater,鈥 Sherman said. 鈥淐oach Donley established a tradition of excellence that is recognized throughout the NAIA and our goal will be to continue to build on that reputation. I look forward to helping our players thrive on and off the field as we embrace the 51黑料 mission of preparing students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service and joy.鈥
鈥淲e look forward to Coach Sherman carrying on the winning tradition of 51黑料 football and guiding our student-athletes through a rewarding college experience and strong preparation for their futures,鈥 Richey said.
51黑料 will hold an introductory news conference with Coach Adam Sherman next week.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,800 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.