Hampton University Athletics

Donovan Rose is entering his 20th season with the Hampton University football program and second as head coach. Rose brings a wealth of knowledge, impeccable character, and the respect from the players, assistant coaches, school administrators and the community.

“With the tradition, family atmosphere and the roots that I have here at Hampton University, I definitely consider this a great opportunity for me to be named head coach at my alma mater. Hampton has always been known for its academics and athletic achievements. With hard work, determination, and commitment, I am very optimistic that we will restore the luster to make Hampton a force to be reckoned with again.”
-Donovan Rose, Head Football Coach

Rose went 5-6 in his first year as head coach, with the Pirates going 3-5 in MEAC play. Hampton was third in the MEAC in scoring defense in 2009, giving up just 19.4 points per game. The Pirates were also third in the MEAC in total defense, giving up 278.1 yards per contest in keeping with Rose’s background on defense.

The Pirates also gave up just 117 rushing yards per game, second-best in the MEAC. Hampton was also second in the conference with 157 total sacks and third in the MEAC in only allowing teams to convert 31.5 percent of their third downs.

Under Rose and his staff, the Pirates earned four First Team All-MEAC honors. Senior running back LaMarcus Coker was named First Team All-MEAC after becoming the first Pirate since 2006 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and his 1,027 rushing yards led the MEAC. Senior punter Jahmal Blanchard also earned First Team All-MEAC honors – for the third straight year – after leading the MEAC with a 43.9 punting average.

Blanchard was also named an SBN Sports Black College All-American for the second straight year, and he was also named to the Associated Press All-American Third Team.

Keeping with Rose’s defensive background, the Pirates’ other two First Team selections were on that side of the ball. Junior linebacker Julio Sanchez earned All-MEAC honors after leading the Pirates with 98 tackles – the second-highest total in the conference. Sanchez had 51 solo tackles in 2009, and he recorded a career-high 16 total stops in an overtime win at Winston-Salem State. Junior defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis was also named First Team All-MEAC, after sitting fifth on the team with 51 tackles and second on the team with 15.0 tackles for loss.

Redshirt-junior defensive lineman Brandon Peguese led the MEAC with 7.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss on the season, earning Second Team All-MEAC honors. Senior linebacker Brandon Roundtree was also named Second Team All-MEAC after sitting second on the team with 73 tackles.

Rose’s philosophy and coaching style is simple – educate and inspire his players to be the best they can be on and off the field. He has attracted attention from both the American Football Coaches Association and the NFL. He was selected to participate in the 2007 NCAA Expert Football Coaching Academy in Miami. Rose also earned internships with the Miami Dolphins in 1996, San Diego Chargers in 2000 and 2001 and the New York Giants in 2002. In addition, Rose 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 I-AA and the All-American Football Foundation Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award.

A 1979 graduate of Hampton University with a degree in business management, Rose was an All-CIAA performer who was named the conference defensive player of the year during his senior year. Donovan also earned All-American honors and was named a starter and captain on the 1978 All-Star Team, which played in the New Orleans Super Dome. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent 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 Rose’s return to Hampton in 1991, the Pirates have won 14 championships, graduated over 200 student-athletes and placed over 45 players in professional leagues. Rose has developed and placed several players in the pros and recruited several players who were either drafted or became free agents in the NFL. His most notable recruits have been Cordell Taylor, second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998, and Kendall Langford, third-round pick and starting defensive end for the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

Rose, a native of Norfolk, Va., is married to the former Miss Hampton University (1981) Sylvia Woody, Esq., a native of Tampa, Fla., and they are the parents of two children: Deja (21), a senior at Georgetown University, and Donovan Jr. (13), eighth-grader at Grafton Middle School.