Tom Donatell (born March 29, 1989) is an American football coach. He currently serves as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL).[1] He is the son of long-time NFL coach Ed Donatell. Prior to his stint with Washington, Donatell served as an assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Chargers. Donatell was a walk-on quarterback at the University of Iowa before switching to defense, where he played as the Hawkeyes linebacker and strong safety for his final three years.[2]


Tom Donatell
Washington Commanders
Position:Defensive backs coach
Personal information
Born: (1989-03-29) March 29, 1989 (age 35)
Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Peachtree Ridge
(Suwanee, Georgia)
College:Iowa (2008–2012)
Career history
As a coach:

Coaching Career edit

Seattle Seahawks edit

The Seahawks hired Donatell as their defensive quality control coach in 2017.[3] He served in this capacity for four seasons.

Los Angeles Chargers edit

Donatell was hired by the Chargers to be a part of Brandon Staley's new staff as the assistant secondary coach in 2021.[4] Following a coaching staff reshuffling, Donatell was promoted to defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach.[5]

Washington Commanders edit

Donatell was hired by newly hired head coach Dan Quinn to serve as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders in 2024.[6]

Personal Life edit

Donatell and his wife, Rebecca, have three sons Drake, Jack and Bennett.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Five things to know about DBs coach Tom Donatell". www.commanders.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  2. ^ "Tom Donatell". University of Iowa Athletics. 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  3. ^ "Seahawks add Tom Donatell to coaching staff, promote three". NBC Sports. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  4. ^ "Photos: Meet the Coaching Staff". www.chargers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  5. ^ "Chargers Elevate Derrick Ansley to Defensive Coordinator; Announce Coaching Staff Hires and Additional Promotion". www.chargers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. ^ "Commanders finalize their coaching staff, hire ex-Eagles OC Brian Johnson as pass game coordinator - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  7. ^ "Tommy Donatell". www.commanders.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.