Tom Donatell enters his second season as the assistant secondary coach for the Chargers. In his first year with the Bolts, he helped coach safety Derwin James Jr., to return to the field at an all-star level and assisted with the transition of second-round rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Donatell contributed to a secondary that was headlined by James, who earned his second career Pro Bowl nod and became the league's first defensive back in the last 20 years to eclipse 100 tackles after missing the entirety of the previous season due to injury. Samuel was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September after registering two interceptions within his first three career games, while veteran cornerback Michael Davis led the unit with 12 passes defensed on the year.
Prior to joining the Bolts, Donatell coached with the Seattle Seahawks as a quality control/defense coach. In his four seasons (2017-20) aiding Seattle's defensive coaching staff, Seahawks defenders earned a combined seven Pro Bowl nods. Donatell's responsibilities grew after his first season with the Seahawks, spearheading advance video evaluation efforts of Seattle's upcoming opponents for the defensive coaching staff. He also conducted self-scouting endeavors on a routine basis, evaluating and contributing to the defense's week-to-week evolving playbook.
Donatell spent four seasons coaching at the collegiate level before joining the Seattle staff, serving as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of South Florida (2013-14) and at UCLA (2015-16).
The son of current Vikings Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, Tom Donatell rotated at linebacker and safety as a collegiate player for the University of Iowa from 2008-12. He started eight games at strong safety for the Hawkeyes as a senior in 2012, picking off two passes and recording one forced fumble over the course of his career.
Donatell and his wife, Rebecca, have three sons, Drake, Jack and Bennett.
