Donahue joined the 49ers in 1999 as the team's director of player personnel. When Bill Walsh retired in 2001, Donahue succeeded him as San Francisco's general manager. He remained in the role for four seasons.
Before his time in San Francisco, Donahue spent 20 seasons (1976-95) as UCLA football's head coach. He was the winningest coach in UCLA football history, earning a career record of 151-74-8.
Donahue is survived by his wife, Andrea, and three daughters, Nicole, Michele, and Jennifer, in addition to three sons-in-law and 10 grandchildren.