Concordia Stingers name former linebacker Mickey Donovan as new head coach

CTV Montreal: Stingers name football coach Former star linebacker Mickey Donovan has been named coach of the Concordia Stingers football team. Andre Corbeil reports.

MONTREAL - The Concordia Stingers named former standout linebacker Mickey Donovan as the university's new football coach on Tuesday.

Donovan is just the fifth head coach in school history and replaces Gerry McGrath, who announced his retirement last fall after 22 seasons with the program.

Concordia finished 0-8 last season had has not had a winning record since going 5-3 in 2008.

"I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have Mickey take over the leadership of the Concordia Stingers," director of recreation and athletics Patrick Boivin said in a statement. "I believe together we can take our team to the next level and give our student-athletes a high quality university football experience, while ensuring their success both on and off the field."

A two-time Quebec all-star and all-Canadian, Donovan played three seasons with the Stingers between 2002 and 2004 and was named as the top defensive player in the country during his final campaign at Concordia.

"It feels like I'm coming home," said the 33-year-old Donovan. "I think it's special to be back at my alma mater. I'm looking forward to making great things happen with the Concordia football program."

Donovan recorded 153 tackles in just 19 games with the Stingers as a player. He joined the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2005, but suffered a knee injury that ended his playing career the following year.

Donovan interned as a coach with the University of New Hampshire in 2006 and joined the Western Mustangs in 2007 to coach linebackers. During his four years at Western, the Laconia, N.H., native handled special teams, the defensive front seven and served as recruiting co-ordinator.

In November of 2011, Donovan joined the McGill Redmen as an assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator.