Kevin Donovan

Kevin Donovan enters his sixth season as the Head Coach for the Golden Bears boys’ soccer team on the heels of the program’s most successful season since 2008.

The Golden Bears reached a District Final for the first time since 2008, falling 1-0 in 2OT to eventual state runner-up Olentangy Liberty. After a regular season in which they compiled a 10-4-2 record against top opposition, the Bears were seeded 11th in the OHSAA tournament and won three matches without conceding a goal to get to the District Final. An impressive 7 players earned All-OCC Central recognition in 2019 after another runner-up finish, including 2nd Team All-State selection Joe Cannon.

Donovan has compiled a regular-season record of 23-15-8 in his three seasons at Upper Arlington, including a 9-3-3 record in the OCC Central division and a 4-1-2 (two OT/PK losses) mark in the playoffs.

In addition to his role at Upper Arlington, Coach Donovan is currently the Director of Coaching for Worthington United 94, a youth soccer club located in Worthington, OH. He previously held that same title for Columbus Crew SC Player Development, the youth arm of MLS franchise Columbus Crew SC. Donovan is also a Level 2 United States Soccer Federation Instructor and is licensed to teach U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots and “D” License courses.

Prior to his arrival in Columbus in May of 2017, Donovan spent three years as the Assistant Coach for the Men’s Soccer team at his alma mater Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. During his time at Southwestern, Donovan helped guide the Pirates to three consecutive conference tournament berths, while coaching 11 players that were named to all-SCAC teams.

Donovan’s coaching career also includes a vast amount of experience at the club level, spanning 15 years and including stints with Lonestar SC in Austin, TX, Woodbury Soccer Club (now Salvo SC) in Minnesota, and the Lions Futball Club in San Antonio, TX. His experience at the youth level has also seen him work with the Minnesota ODP program, coach at college ID camps, and train teams from the recreational levels at 5-6 years old all the way thru to
elite youth teams at the high school age.

As a player, Donovan played for 4 years at Southwestern University from 2001-2005 where he was a team captain in his final season. He was named Newcomer of the Year in the Fall of 2001 and shared Southwestern’s Most Outstanding Player Award in 2003 and 2004. The San Antonio, TX native was a two-time First Team All-SCAC selection in 2003 and 2004, while also earning all-region honors twice (4th and 1st team, respectively).

In 2013, Donovan earned his USSF National “B” License. He also holds his USSF National “C” and “D” Licenses, United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching, GK Level 1 & Level 2, and Futsal Level 1 Diplomas, and has completed a number of youth modules as part of his ongoing coaching education.

Donovan received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Southwestern University in 2005.

He currently resides in Worthington, OH, with his wife, Michelle, and their three kids, Olivia, Gavin & their youngest daughter, Morgan.