2 - of College Football Games

Mickey Donovan Paul Gleason
Special Teams Coordinator, Linebackers Defensive Coordinator
Mickey Donovan is a full-time assistant coach with the Mustangs. This
season will mark his third year with the team.
Donovan is from Laconia, New Hampshire. He coached with New
Hampshire State (Division 1-AA) and prior to this, played the position of
linebacker at both the University of Maine and at Concordia University.
During his time as a player in the CIS, he was named a two-time All-
Canadian and national defensive player of the year.
He was invited to try-out for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when Greg
Marshall was head coach. Marshall was so impressed with Donovan
that even after he suffered a devastating knee injury, Marshall convinced
management to keep him on the team.
Donovan was originally brought in by Marshall to coach the linebackers.
His role has since developed and he is also the special teams and
recruiting co-ordinator.
In his role as recruiting co-ordinator, Donovan has landed recruits
including defensive tackle Vaughn Martin, who in April 2009, received a
fourth-round draft pick to the San Diego Chargers, linebacker John Surla,
running back Jerimy Hipperson and offensive lineman Matt Norman.
Donovan’s actions have had a tremendous impact on the team. His
contributions can be seen from a recruiting perspective as well as in
game preparation and on-field improvements.
His talent as a coach led him to become the special teams co-ordinator
for Team Canada during the summer of 2009.
Donovan is enthusiastic and energetic about his role with the Mustangs
football team.
He is recently married to his wife Ashley.
Paul Gleason is a measure of coaching success, leaving a positive
stamp on any program he joins.
A teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in London, Gleason
has served as the Mustangs Defensive Coordinator since 2003. He also
served as the linebackers coach from 1998 until 2006.
Mild-mannered and mellow off the field, the Wilfrid Laurier and Windsor
graduate led the recruiting charge from 1998 onward at Western. He now
shares the responsibility with Donovan.
As a coach, Gleason emphasizes the need for players to understand
and believe in the goals set by the team. He credits this approach for the
success of the Mustangs’ defense during their 2007 Yates Cup victory,
when they held opposing teams to a total of 56 points in three postseason
games.
Gleason was a head coach at Catholic Central High School from
1990 -1997 where he went an impressive 67-4-1. The run included five
undefeated seasons and seven high school championships – the latter,
a London Conference record still held by Gleason. He also coached
the London Conference All-Star Team from 1995 to 1998 and prior to
becoming head coach at CCH, won two conference championships as
the defensive coordinator (1987 and 1988). Gleason has his Master of
Arts degree with a coaching specialization from Western. He is also the
co-owner of the Forest City Football Camp that has operated in London
for the past 12 years.
He lives in London with his wife Stephanie and their new son Morgan.
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