HAMPTON, Va. (April 16, 2025) … Donovan Rose has been a part of Hampton University for 50 years where he was a student-athlete, assistant football coach, head football coach, and assistant director of athletics. Following graduation from Hampton he embarked on a professional football career.

But Rose has added a new title to his resume. In 2025, he became a published author. He wrote a book on the life lessons he learned during his long and storied career. Titled, The Need to Believe --- One Man's Commitment to Excellence, the 102-page book outlines his commitment to excellence and recalls how he overcame obstacles and setbacks to excel.

The Norfolk, Va., native had no football scholarship offers coming out of high school. He accepted a track grant-in-aid to attend Hampton back in the days when the school was known as Hampton Institute. But he managed to land a spot on the football roster and became an All-American by his senior year while playing for the late Dr. Walter Lovett.

Following graduation from Hampton in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in Business Management, he began a professional football career. Undrafted out of college, he signed on as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1980 after impressing Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy. His career took him to Canada where he played for the Toronto Argonauts, Grey Cup champions Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He finished his career with the Miami Dolphins in 1988 playing for Hall of Famer Don Shula.

At the urging of Hampton University president Dr. William R. Harvey, Rose returned to his alma mater in 1991 as an assistant coach under Fred Freeman and then Joe Taylor. In 2009, he was promoted to head coach following the departure of Taylor. Since 2015, he has served as an assistant director of athletics at Hampton.

The inspirational book outlines his belief that anyone can overcome obstacles to succeed. Faced with setbacks and disappointments, Rose rose above these obstacles by applying basic principled he learned as a child while growing up. He provides insights to achieve success using his blueprint for success. He received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award-Hall of Fame at Hampton University in September 2025.
His book, The Need to Believe – One Man's Commitment to Excellence is available online through www.trafford.com or email at order@trafford.com. It is also available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.