Donovan Rose is entering his 18th season on the Hampton University’s Coaching staff, his first as defensive coordinator. As a secondary coach, Donovan’s philosophy and coaching style has attracted attention from the American Football Coaches Association and the NFL. He has developed and placed several defensive backs in the NFL. However, his most notable players have been Travarous Bain, Arizona Cardinals, and Calvin Bannister, Calgary Stampeders. He also served internships with the Miami Dolphins in 1996, San Diego Chargers in 2000 & 2001 and the New York Giants in 2002. In addition, Donovan has received; the 2006 L.D. Britt, M.D. Community Service Award for his involvement and untiring service with youth and student athletes; the 2003 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in Division 1AA and the All American Football Foundation Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award.
As a Distinguished Hamptonian (1979) and Norview High (Norfolk, Va.) school graduate, he began his playing career in 1975 as a walk-on defensive back and kicker for the Hampton University Pirates. However, by his senior year he was voted Defensive Player of the Year of the CIAA, All-American and was selected as a starter and captain in the 1978 Black College All-Star game at the New Orleans Super Dome. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1980 and also played for several championship teams in the Canadian Football League, winning the Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1984. In 1986, he joined the Miami Dolphins and led the team in interceptions. Rose retired from Miami in 1988.
Since his arrival at Hampton in 1991, The Pirates have won 14 Championships, graduated over 185 student athletes and placed over 40 players in the professional leagues. As the defensive coordinator, Coach Rose first area of concern is to make sure defensively that the players are fundamentally sound, aggressive, and students of the game. He is married to the former Miss Hampton University (1981) Sylvia Woody, Esq., a native of Tampa, Fl and they are the parents of two children: Deja (18) a freshman at Georgetown University and Donovan, Jr. (10) a fifth grader.
