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Ed Donatell is in his first season with the 49ers after being hiredas the team’s secondary coach on January 19, 2011.With over three decades of coaching experience, including 20 years inthe NFL, Donatell has worked with several of the most highly regardeddefensive backs in pro football history, including Ronnie Lott, SteveAtwater, LeRoy Butler, Darren Sharper, Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, ChampBailey and Brian Dawkins.Donatell most recently served as the secondary coach with the DenverBroncos from 2009-10. Over the course of two seasons with theBroncos, the team ranked seventh in the NFL in opponent completionpercentage (58.8) and ninth in passing yards per game (223.7).Prior to working as the defensive coordinator for the University ofWashington in 2008 and a special assistant for the New York Jets in2007, Donatell served as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falconsfrom 2004-06.In his first season with Atlanta in 2004, the Falcons advanced to theNFC Championship Game and led the NFL in sacks (48) for the first timein club history. During his final year as the Falcons defensive coordinatorin 2006, the club led the NFL in third-down percentage (30.2), whileranking sixth in the league in yards per carry allowed (3.8).Donatell spent four seasons as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator(2000-03), helping the Packers lead the NFL with 116 takeaways from2001 to 2003. Green Bay advanced to the playoffs during each of thosethree seasons, including the 2001 and 2002 campaigns when they wonthe NFC North title. In 2002, Donatell’s defense set a Green Bay recordwith 52 sacks and led the NFL with 45 takeaways. That year, Sharperearned his second Pro Bowl selection under Donatell after tying forthe NFC lead among safeties with seven interceptions.DONATELL’S BACKGROUNDIn Donatell’s first stint with the Broncos (1995-99) he served as theteam’s secondary coach and won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998an 1999. The Broncos ranked seventh in the league in both passingyards per game (199.6) and passing yards per attempt allowed (6.5), enroute to earning three playoff berths under Donatell. The Broncos alsoranked in the top 10 against the pass in four of Donatell’s five seasonsas defensive backs coach.Donatell made his NFL coaching debut as the secondary coach with theNew York Jets from 1990-94, where he worked with Lott in the final twoseasons of his career.Prior to making the jump to the NFL, Donatell spent 11 seasons in thecollegiate ranks. He served as the defensive backs coach at Cal StateFullerton (1989), the University of Idaho (1986-88) and the Universityof Pacific (1983-85). He also was a graduate assistant at the Universityof Washington (1981-82) and Kent State (1979-80).An all-conference defensive back, team captain and four-year letterwinnerat Glenville State (WV) University, Donatell received a bachelor’sdegree in physical education in 1979. He went on to earn a master’sdegree in administration from Kent State in 1981. A native of Stow,OH, Donatell is married to his wife Shari, and the couple has three children,Brenna, Thomas and Steven.YEARS COACHING BACKGROUND HEAD COACH2011-current Secondary, San Francisco 49ers Jim Harbaugh2009-10 Secondary, Denver Broncos Eric Studesville/Josh McDaniels2008 Defensive Coordinator, University of Washington Tyrone Willingham2007 Special Assistant, New York Jets Eric Mangini2004-06 Defensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons Jim Mora2000-03 Defensive Coordinator, Green Bay Packers Mike Sherman1995-99 Defensive Backs, Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan1990-94 Defensive Backs, New York Jets Pete Carroll/Bruce Coslet1989 Defensive Backs, Cal State Fullerton Gene Murphy1986-88 Defensive Backs, University of Idaho Keith Gilbertson1983-85 Defensive Backs, University of Pacific Bob Cope1981-82 Graduate Assistant, University of Washington Don James1979-80 Graduate Assistant, Kent State Ron BlackledgeSAN FRANCISCO 49ERS \\22// MEDIA GUIDE