Jason Donnelly

Since arriving at Furman as Director of Athletics in August 2019, Jason Donnelly has brought a new energy and excitement to Furman Athletics with an emphasis on a first-class student-athlete experience and enhanced alumni and external engagement strategy. Under Donnelly’s leadership, Furman Athletics strives to inspire, educate and develop outstanding student-athletes through a culture of excellence, prestigious liberal arts and sciences education, and nationally competitive athletics programs.

Jason came to Furman from Villanova University, where he most recently served as senior associate athletics director and executive director of athletics development (2015-2019). He was responsible for leading the Villanova Athletics Fund, managing fundraising and external support for all 24 varsity sports. During that time, he helped raise more than $120 million for Villanova Athletics, including three consecutive record-breaking fundraising years representing a 330% increase in dollars raised.

Jason joined Villanova in 2005 as assistant men’s basketball coach and director of basketball operations. He later became a special assistant to head coach Jay Wright and was a key contributor to Villanova’s historic basketball success, including the Wildcats’ NCAA Division 1 national championship wins in 2016 and 2018. He also served as director of athletics development (2013-2015).

He has also been a teacher and basketball coach at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia, as well as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Muhlenberg College, his alma mater. He also served as director of basketball operations for USA Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil.