The Watertown Public Schools provided the following piece:
Watertown High School field hockey coach Eileen Donahue has been named the field hockey Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations, adding another award to her Hall of Fame career.
Donahue, who was honored as the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year for field hockey in December, has molded the Watertown Raiders field hockey program into one of the most decorated high school athletics programs in the United States. Her 22 state championships are the most in Massachusetts field hockey history.
“I am thankful and honored to be named a NFHS National Coach of the Year for Field Hockey,” said Donahue. “I am fortunate to receive this award due to the commitment of my players, assistant coaches, and administrators. I do my best to teach my players many skills and game strategies, as well as expect players to care about being on time, being disciplined, and playing competitively. Once they buy into this type of coaching, they end up playing with more energy, effort and confidence, which many times leads to their success.”
The Raiders claimed their fourth-straight state championship in 2024. Donahue’s teams have not lost a game since 2019 and take a 97-game winning streak into the 2025 season. Watertown set the national record for consecutive wins, 124, during a 184-game unbeaten streak – also a national record – between 2008-2017.
Under Donahue’s leadership, the Raiders have also set the national record for consecutive shutouts (41), shattering the previous mark of 32 set by Garden City, New Jersey in 1999. The shutout streak spanned the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
“No one deserves this award more than Eileen,” said Ryan Murphy, Watertown Athletic Director. “Her success is unprecedented and continues to amaze me every day. Fortunately, we have her here in Watertown working with our student-athletes.”
During her time in Watertown, Donahue has coached and developed countless players who have gone on to play at the Division I level in college. This past season was no exception, with co-captains Adrianna Williams and Rachel Egan committing to play at Providence College and Holy Cross, respectively.
Donahue, a 2019 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, is 777-34-46 in her 39-year career and plans on returning for her 40th season at the helm in 2025. She is one of eight coaches in U.S. history in the 700-win club. Only two coaches have eclipsed the 800-win mark.
My thanks and congratulations to Eileen Donahue. Coaching is a demanding job especially in the scholastic setting. Watertown is fortunate to have Coach Donahue.