After excelling as assistant volleyball coach in 2001 — when the Hilltoppers went 30–7 and were crowned Heartland Conference champions — Donahue was hired as the head coach in 2002. In the years since, he has guided the team to a 103–77 overall record, two Heartland Conference titles and three trips to the NCAA Tournament, receiving the coach of the year award for the Heartland Conference in 2003.
Ironically, Donahue developed his athletic talents following high school. In fact, it wasn’t until 1991 that he picked up his first volleyball on a beach court. He quickly fell in love with the sport.
In 1993, Donahue enrolled in University of Texas–Austin to study Kinesiology and play volleyball. From 1994 to 1996, Donahue played for the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association men’s volleyball team as an outside hitter. In 1994 and 1995, the team won its conference, and from 1994 through 1996, the team went to the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association’s volleyball tournament. The team’s best year was in 1995, when it finished fifth in the nation. In 1997, Donahue earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Business.
While still a student at UT, Donahue began working for Austin Junior Volleyball as the assistant director and as a coach. For four consecutive seasons he led his team to the USA Junior Olympics.
He has received his USA Volleyball Coaches Accreditation Program Level II coaching certification. He is also a successful sports administrator — in 1999 he was the recipient of USA Volleyball’s Robert L. Lindsay Meritorious Service Award.
Donahue also has experience as a camp/coach administrator, and he works at multiple summer camps and clinics at St. Edward’s University. In addition, he has run several camps for USA Volleyball and UT–Austin. As a head coach, Donahue has amassed a record of 475 wins and 228 loses.
Sean and his wife Shannon live in Austin.