Donohue attended James Lick High School, where he played football and basketball.

He was also selected by the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League in the 29th round (225th overall) of the 1962 AFL Draft.

He was a part of the 1967 NFL Championship Game famously known as the "Ice Bowl", where the Green Bay Packers beat the Cowboys, 21–17.

[3] In 1969, the Detroit Lions acquired Donohue to improve their depth at the offensive line, but he was not able to make the team due to problems with his knee and retired.

In 1977, he was named the football head coach and went on to win or share four league titles.