American Football Database
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Tom Donahoe is a former general manager of both the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

Biography[]

Donahoe was born and raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon. He is a grandson of longtime Pittsburgh mayor and Pennsylvania Governor David L. Lawrence.[1] He was "director of football operations" (GM) for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1991-1999.[1] In what was largely seen as a power struggle between himself and head coach Bill Cowher, Donahoe left the team following the 1999 season.[2]

In 2000, Donahoe took on a job at ESPN.com for the following year.[3]

Before the 2001 season, Donahoe was selected to replace John Butler as general manager of the Buffalo Bills, as well as take over the position of team president from a retiring Ralph Wilson.[3] Wilson, while still maintaining ownership of the team, wanted to step aside from the day-to-day operations of the franchise, and chose Donahoe to take his place.[citation needed]

After the 2005 season, Donahoe was fired. The team had been 31-48 during his tenure with the team from 2001-2005, and he drafted only three players[4] who would go on to make the Pro Bowl with the team.

Ralph Wilson re-assumed the role of president,[5] and the general manager position was filled by former Bills head coach Marv Levy.[6]

References[]

Template:SteelersExecutive

Template:Buffalo Bills president navbox

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