UNH football coach McDonnell returns after battle with cancer
DURHAM, N.H. (BVM) — Sean McDonnell has returned to the practice field after he stepped away last August to battle cancer. After being medically cleared, McDonnell returned to his role as head coach of the University of New Hampshire’s football program.
The 2019 football season took an unfortunate turn for McDonnell when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. With only a week before his 21st season, McDonnell announced that he would go on medical leave, which later would be declared as cancer. McDonnell would go through months of treatment and surgeries to get him to the point where he would be allowed back into the program by doctors.
McDonnell has been at the head of the Wildcats’ football program since 1999, and currently has the most playoff appearances in the FCS. Under McDonnell’s tenure, he has led the Wildcats to 14 consecutive winning seasons from 2004-17 and has racked up 154 career victories.
With interim coach Ricky Santos taking over, the Wildcats went 6-5 with a new voice at the front of the football program. Santos was a UNH quarterback over a decade ago and had his number retired by the school after the 2007 season.
In their 2019 season, the Wildcats had a 5-3 conference record and had an up-and-down year against some of the top opponents in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
Now with the chance to come back, McDonnell is looking forward to the upcoming season. With the pandemic taking away spring football, McDonnell has had to go through another hurdle before he can get back to some normalcy on the field. He has continued to stay in contact with his players over Zoom meetings until the NCAA allows facilities to open back up.
McDonnell spoke on his coaching return on HERO Sports’ FCS Coaches Corner Podcast.
“I’m feeling great,” McDonnell said. “I had a great team that took care of me. They put a plan together last August and we followed it pretty close and March 1, we got great news that day that told me that I was 98% cancer free and I was going to be able to get back doing what I love to do full time.”
While losing some major contributors to graduation, like leading receiver Malik Love and leading rusher Evan Gray, the Wildcats will need some players to step up into key roles this season. One positive from last year was the experience starting quarterback Max Brosmer gained from his freshman year at the position.
With McDonnell back, the long-time UNH coach might just be the Wildcats’ biggest addition heading into next season. The team will look to get back at it with a familiar voice at the helm.
