New Husky Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell

We now know the word we'll plug into this sentence on Saturdays this fall: "Jesus, send a blitz or two, __________!!!" It'll be "Donatell." Ed Donatell, who was an NFL defensive coordinator for eight seasons with the Falcons and Packers, will be the new Husky DC, reports the P-I's Molly Yanity.

Donatell is partially responsible for maybe the worst play in Seahawks history--it was a blitz he called that pressured Matt Hasselbeck into throwing the tragic pick 6 in overtime of the 2003 Wild Card game vs. the Packers.

Donatell's worst moment as a coach came a week later, in the 2003 divisional playoffs, when the Eagles converted a 4th and 26 with 1:12 left. Donatell had called a "quarters" defense instead of a blitz, despite the fact that the Pack had been getting pressure all game. The Eagles finished the drive with a game-tying field goal, and went on to win in overtime. Donatell was fired after the season, and this report from the time says that his reluctance to blitz was part of the problem.

One of Donatell's former charges, Patrick Kerney, tells Molly Yanity this about him: "Something Ed brought with him was an incredibly high amount of organization. He demands that from his players. He brings a new language and communication is so important on defense ... and he makes sure everyone is speaking that language. He goes by game plan. If there is a quarterback he thinks that has to get hit early, he'll do what he has to do to get there. If he thinks the coverage will be affected, he'll sit back. He doesn't live by a motto. He goes week to week."

Donatell was a UW graduate assistant in 1981 and 1982, where Jim Mora, Jr. was one of his players. He later coached under Mora in Atlanta, but at Washington, Don James was his boss. Bob Condotta reports that James is pleased with the hire. James told him: "[Donatell] was a good young coach. He was one of those guys I thought definitely had a career in coaching and was going to make it. He was a hard worker and smart. I'm pleased he would have that opportunity.'' If he's ok with Don James, he's ok with me. You'll remember that, under Don James, the Huskies never missed a tackle. True fact.

Dontatell explained his defensive philosophy in an interview that TNT's Don Ruiz found. Said Donatell: "I want to apply the application that’s going to allow us to be successful. But any coordinator loves a four-man front that you can depend on, that gives you coverage opportunities. But I love to blitz. When I can see the opportunity and the advantage to it, I love to do that because it helps your aggression."

Here are some encouraging numbers from Donatell's recent coaching history:

2003 Packers with Donatell as DC: #11 in NFL in total defense.
2004 Packers, after Donatell was fired: #23 in NFL in total defense.

2003 Falcons, before Donatell was hired: #30 in NFL in total defense.
2004 Falcons, with Donatell as DC: #14 in NFL in total defense.

2006 Falcons with Donatell as DC: #15 in NFL in total defense.
2007 Falcons, after Donatell was fired: #29 in NFL in total defense.