Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — After completing the season with a record of 30-3 and reaching the NCAA D-II Elite Eight, Owls head basketball coach, Michael Donnelly, accepted the head coaching job at the University of New Haven for the next six years.
“It was an opportunity that was just right for me,” said Donnelly. “I had a wonderful time here at Southern but deep down UNH has always been one of my favorite schools.”
Under Donnelly, the Owls have recorded a record of 73 wins and 41 losses. Prior to Donnelly’s arrival, the Owls were a men’s basketball program that was winning an average of two games under former head coach Marc Rybczyk.
Southern’s athletic director, Patricia Nicol, said she is disappointed with Donnelly’s decision and will try her best to hire a new coach who can promise to stay loyal to a school who supported Donnelly since day one.
“His decision hurt a lot of us when we found out,” said an angry Nicol. “We were 100 percent behind Donnelly since the first day he walked in. Our fans are going to be hurt when they hear this news and also his players.”
As Nicol and her staff search for a new head coach, she said this has been the hardest year for her which started with the announcement of Owls football coach Rich Cavanaugh deciding to retire.
“This year,” she said, “ I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen at all. Cavanaugh leaving really was a shock to me but understandable because he helped our program for so many years. But Donnelly leaving? It makes no sense because his team did so well this year.”
Donnelly’s decision on leaving the Owls was very tough for him he said but he felt as if the school didn’t appreciate what he brought to the table.
“I’m one of the best coaches to ever coach here at this school, let’s get that straight,” said Donnelly. “I felt, as years went on here, that I was too good to be here. This program was not on my level. UNH’s program is because they have a much better school and also have a better chance in winning long term. Despite us winning the Northeast-10 championship this season against UNH, their future is much brighter than the Owls.”
With senior Greg Langston graduating this year, the Owls will have the same exact team next season led by captains Luke Houston and Tylon Smith. Smith said he is angry at Donnelly leaving to UNH and can’t wait to play against them because he wants to send a message to him.
“This is some bull,” said Smith as he deleted Donnelly’s number out of his phone. “Now that I think of it, I’m happy now with the times I decided not to listen to him during the games. I promise you that when we play them next year, I will score 40 points on them and make sure my team blows them out.”
Houston said he always felt as if Donnelly would do something crazy behind their back.
“When I first met Donnelly,” said an angry Houston, “he couldn’t even look me in my eyes. That explains why I used to shoot 50 foot jump shots and not care at all what he thought.”
Sophomore Deshawn Murphy, who ignited the Owls in the first half the elite eight, said the best part about Donnelly leaving is more shots for him.
“I’m happy he’s gone,” said a chuckling Murphy. “Why you think I used to always shoot the ball when I got it? I used to just shoot just to get him mad. I hated passing the ball because it made him happy. Him leaving means I get to shoot even more three-pointers next season and hopefully make that coach leave the school too.”
With Donnelly gone and the Owls heading into the summer with no coach, Langston said he was given the opportunity by the athletic department to coach the team until they find another coach.
“I’m coaching now!” said Langston. “I will teach this guy’s how to shoot one legged fade-aways. I will also teach them how to grow their hair as long as mine because I feel as if this was the reason why we went so far.”
