James F. "Boots" Donnelly (born October 15, 1942) is a former American football player and coach.
He served as the head football coach at Austin Peay State University from 1977 to 1978 and at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) from 1979 to 1998, compiling a career college football coaching record of 154–94–1.
Donnelly began his coaching career at his alma mater, Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
After the conclusion of his coaching career, Donnelly served as athletic director at MTSU for several years.
In 2006, he became CEO of Backfield in Motion, an organization dedicated to fostering academic and athletic abilities among inner city youth.