END OF AN ERA: DONAHUE RESIGNS : DONAHUE ETC.

Profile

* NAME--Terrence Michael Donahue.

* AGE--51.

* DATE OF BIRTH--June 24, 1944.

* WIFE--Andrea.

* KIDS--Nicole, 24; Michele, 21; Jennifer, 17.

* HOME--Westlake Village.

* HIGH SCHOOL--Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

* COLLEGES--San Jose State, L.A. Valley College, UCLA.

* DEGREES--bachelor’s in history, UCLA, 1967; master’s in kinesiology, UCLA, 1977.

Voices

Terry Donahue, announcing his decision to resign:

“After a great deal of reflection and soul searching, I’ve made a decision to retire and step down as the head football coach at UCLA following our Aloha Bowl game to take a job with CBS Sports.

“It’s been a wild and wonderful ride. It’s been more than one person should ever get in a lifetime. This is really not based on anything like burnout, being fatigued, not enjoying the job.

“A dream of mine is coming to an end. It’s a very difficult and emotional decision for me, but one which I felt strongly had to be made in everyone’s interest.”

*

Former Bruin Coach Dick Vermeil, on Donahue’s resignation:

“There are some things [Donahue is] going to miss about coaching, no question. You don’t have people leaning on you, counting on you, coming to you for consultation. There may be times when he feels insignificant.

“The big thing he will miss is not having that high after you’ve won an important game, that feeling of accomplishment.

“After a broadcast, it doesn’t matter who won or lost. You go down the elevator and get on a plane. Sure, there is a certain high after a good telecast, but it’s not the same.

“On the other hand, you don’t have the lows, the problems, the headaches and the heartbreaks that come with coaching.”

*

Senior defensive end James Christensen:

“I’m not surprised. It’s in his best interests, a change for himself and his family. I think it’s great. I’m glad he stayed until I was done.”

*

Senior defensive end Matt Soenksen:

“It ended for him beating USC five years in a row and, hopefully, beating Kansas in the Aloha Bowl. He’s been the coach since everybody’s been here, since basically, everyone’s been alive.”

*

Colorado Coach Rick Neuheisel, on the possibility of replacing Donahue:

“I feel that because I went there, I know so many people there and they’ve opened a lot of doors for me--I need to listen. But my aspirations are to stay right here.

“But because of my roots--I went to school there and coached there for a long time--if they would like to talk, I only owe it to them to listen. My plan is to stay at Colorado and proceed full-speed ahead.”

Milestones

* VICTORY NO. 1--Sept. 9, 1976. The Bruins upset third-ranked Arizona State, 28-10, to make Donahue a winner in his coaching debut.

* PAC-10 VICTORY NO. 25--Nov. 30, 1980. Freeman McNeil breaks Wendell Tyler’s career rushing record and the Bruins defeat Oregon State, 34-3, in Tokyo.

* FIRST ROSE BOWL GAME VICTORY--Jan. 1, 1983. Tom Ramsey completes 18 of 25 passes for 162 yards as UCLA defeats Michigan, 24-14.

* PAC-10 VICTORY NO. 50--Oct. 26, 1985. The Bruins rout California, 34-7, at the Rose Bowl.

* VICTORY NO. 100--Sept. 10, 1988. UCLA builds a 28-0 lead over Nebraska and holds on for a 41-28 victory.

* PAC-10 VICTORY NO. 75--Oct. 27, 1990. The Bruins, on their way to a 5-6 season, struggle to a 26-17 victory over Oregon State.

* PAC-10 VICTORY NO. 98--Nov. 18, 1995. Saying the victory “validates” him as a coach, Donahue becomes the winningest coach in conference history with a 24-20 victory over USC and becomes the first Bruin coach to defeat USC five consecutive years.